Russian President Vladimir Putin met Tuesday with the leader of Myanmar's military government, which is seeking to strengthen ties with Moscow amid Western isolation and sanctions.
General Min Aung Hlaing is making his fourth visit to Russia since his army seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021.
Western governments have isolated Myanmar's ruling army and imposed economic and political sanctions in response to the takeover and brutal crackdown on opposition, which has left thousands of civilians dead and sparked an armed conflict that many see as a civil war.
Russia, along with China, is Myanmar's main ally and arms supplier. Russian-made fighter jets have been used in attacks on areas controlled by ethnic minorities, many of whom are allied with pro-democracy forces.
“Russia is the main sponsor of the Myanmar military,” said Morgan Michaels, an analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Singapore.
“In addition to diplomatic and symbolic support, it plays a critical role in strengthening and maintaining the regime's defense capability.”
Russia defends Myanmar's military government on international platforms, and the ruling generals, in turn, support Moscow's foreign policy interests. The two countries have also held joint military exercises and signed a deal to develop nuclear energy.
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, who held a separate meeting with Min Aung Hlaing to discuss deepening economic ties, condemned Western sanctions against Myanmar as “illegal”.
A spokesman for Myanmar's main opposition Government of National Unity, Nay Phon Latt, said the military leader was desperate for international recognition and was willing to trade his country's resources for it.
“So in order to maintain power, he will go to countries that recognize him and provide some kind of assistance and trade what he needs with those countries,” Nay Von Latt said in a text message to the AP on Monday.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
