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By Aung Zaw 16 September 2022
Finally, his needs have been fulfilled.
Myanmar coup chief Senior Basic Min Aung Hlaing held his first, and long-awaited, assembly with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the Moscow-organized Jap Financial Discussion board (EEF) in Vladivostok, Russia’s major japanese provincial capital, final week.
Min Aung Hlaing insisted Putin was “a pacesetter of the world”, and praised the architect of the Ukraine invasion for bringing “stability” to the worldwide area. “And we’d describe you not simply because the chief of Russia, but additionally as a pacesetter of the world, since you are controlling and organizing stability all around the world.”
Worshipping at Putin’s ft, he gushed, “Along with your assist, the nation is creating intensively… One can say that whenever you began to rule the nation, Russia moved to a management place globally.”
So it’s now official: Myanmar has joined the Russia camp. Myanmar’s conventional “energetic, impartial and non-aligned international coverage” was buried alive in Vladivostok.
Even earlier than the coup, Min Aung Hlaing visited Russia a number of instances and Moscow despatched a high-level army delegation shortly earlier than the takeover on Feb. 1, 2021. Since then, it has solely elevated its deliveries of army {hardware}, cementing its standing as a serious ally and arms provider of the Myanmar army. Myanmar, in the meantime, has publicly supported Russia’s invasion of Ukraine from the outset.
Myanmar can by no means ignore China, its big neighbor, however the remoted Naypyitaw regime’s forging of a broader alliance with Moscow represents a elementary shift within the nation’s international coverage.
Throughout Min Aung Hlaing’s newest go to, the regime and Russian state-owned nuclear company Rosatom signed a roadmap for additional nuclear vitality cooperation together with the attainable implementation of a modular reactor venture in Myanmar.
Myanmar already buys oil from Russia and on the discussion board, Min Aung Hlaing invited native businessmen to put money into the nation, claiming—falsely—that it’s now totally below his management. He additionally steered changing US {dollars} with China’s yuan, Russia’s ruble and India’s rupee to be used in industrial and monetary transactions.
The talks between Myanmar and Russia lined wider financial cooperation together with direct flights between the 2 nations to spice up tourism and the oil and gasoline commerce. We are going to see whether or not such cooperation really materializes.
The 2 nations’ relations moved into larger gear in current months after Russian Overseas Minister Sergey Lavrov’s transient go to to Naypyitaw in August. Myanmar and Russian leaders hailed the seventy fifth anniversary of bilateral relations and Lavrov referred to as Myanmar a “pleasant and longstanding companion” when visiting Naypyitaw
On the Vladivostok discussion board, Putin grew to become one of many first worldwide leaders to satisfy Min Aung Hlaing because the army’s energy seize in 2021. Seated subsequent to the Russian president, Min Aung Hlaing remarked, “Our relationships are creating positively.”
Again in Myanmar, his viewers with a strong world chief has raised Min Aung Hlaing’s profile within the hardline army camp. The state-run newspapers touted the success of the journey and showered him with reward, masking the occasion as if it was the information of the century. “Min Aung Hlaing is a pacesetter who permits Myanmar to face tall on the worldwide stage,” crowed one mouthpiece.
As anticipated, the regime’s opponents and a majority of Myanmar residents jeered on the declare. To most, Putin and Min Aung Hlaing are a match made in hell. Because the coup, Myanmar residents have been on the receiving finish of Russian jet fighters and helicopters, which the Myanmar army has used to assault not solely resistance fighters but additionally civilians, together with whole villages. Ethnic armed teams in northern Myanmar are on edge over Moscow’s persevering with supply of army {hardware} and its order of six SU-30 a number of function fighter jets, two of which have been delivered.
To these in Myanmar, Putin and Min Aung Hlaing’s handshake in Vladivostok is a menacing signal and may solely imply one factor: extra hassle for the nation.
The assembly is proof of the Kremlin’s want to counter its deteriorating ties with Western capitals, in addition to Western sanctions, by pivoting in the direction of Asia, Africa and the Center East, the place it’s trying to promote oil and/or army {hardware}, and improve ties.
“Irrespective of how a lot somebody wish to isolate Russia, it’s inconceivable to do that,” Putin advised the discussion board.
Such phrases are music to Min Aung Hlaing’s ears. His regime additionally faces Western sanctions and elevated isolation. Myanmar, a member of the Affiliation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), has been shunned from ministerial-level conferences and annual summits in its personal area since final 12 months. In a departure from its non-interference coverage, the regional grouping has been talking up on the escalating battle in Myanmar. Putin’s backing will give Min Aung Hlaing confidence to defy the West’s “bullying”, tighten his management over the nation and legitimize his rule.
Behind their mutual embrace and defiant posturing, nonetheless, Putin and Min Aung Hlaing share a typical drawback.
Putin faces growing sanctions and wrath from the US and Western Europe. On the discussion board, the Russian president confirmed willpower and defiance of the West. Whereas the Russian economic system hasn’t collapsed as many predicted, he faces monumental stress from outdoors. This week, when Putin met Chinese language President Xi Jinping in Uzbekistan, Putin mentioned he was conscious of China’s “questions and issues” concerning the struggle in Ukraine—a sign that Xi is unlikely to supply Putin extra concrete assist.
At residence in Myanmar, Min Aung Hlaing, too, faces larger stress day by day.
As his army resorts to ever extra grave human rights violations and struggle crimes, Myanmar’s economic system is in hassle, international traders have fled the nation and most analysts anticipate a protracted civil struggle situation.
In July, the Worldwide Courtroom of Justice dominated {that a} landmark case accusing the Myanmar army of genocide in opposition to Rohingya Muslims can go forward.
For all his speak, Min Aung Hlaing has neither taken full management of, nor restored a way of normalcy to, the nation.
On the contrary, native and worldwide media and different observers agree that his regime is the truth is dropping territory to the armed resistance teams which have taken up arms in opposition to his rule.
Even former UN consultants on Myanmar mentioned in a current evaluation that revolutionary forces have efficient management over 52 % of the territory of the nation. The regime is more and more in defensive mode.
Putin and Min Aung Hlaing loudly reject the sanctions imposed on them, willfully ignoring the explanations for them. Within the case of Russia, it was the invasion of Ukraine. As for Myanmar, the regime overthrew an elected authorities and has dedicated gross human rights violations, abstract executions and struggle crimes in opposition to the civilian inhabitants and resistance forces.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky’s current message to Putin was inspirational.
After Ukrainian troops swept by means of the northeastern area of Kharkiv, sending occupying Russian forces fleeing—and prompting Russia to assault civilian energy infrastructure with missile strikes—he mentioned: “Chilly, starvation, darkness and thirst should not as scary and lethal for us as your ‘friendship and brotherhood.’” He added: “Historical past will put the whole lot instead. And we will probably be with gasoline, mild, water and meals… and WITHOUT you!”
Myanmar, too, can stay up for a day when it’s blissful once more—to a Myanmar with out Min Aung Hlaing, struggle criminals and thugs.
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