Myanmar’s military council backs Russian invasion of Ukraine

Myanmar’s Military Council on Thursday expressed support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, taking a different approach from the international community which has not only condemned Russia’s aggression against Ukraine but also called for tougher sanctions against Moscow.

In an interview with Voice of America (VOA) Burmese, the Head of the State Administration Council’s press team, General Zaw Min Tun, explained the reasons behind the military government’s move to support Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to VOA Burmese General Zaw Min Tun said, “No. 1 is that Russia has worked to consolidate its sovereignty,” he said. “I think this is the right thing to do. No. 2 is to show the world that Russia is a world power.”

EU freezes Putin’s assets in response to Ukraine invasion

Council of Europe suspends Russia over Ukraine invasion

The head of the military revolution, Senior General Maha Thray Sithu Min Aung Hlaing, visited Russia in June last year and since then there have been strong ties between Burma and the Russian military. It is pertinent to note that Russia is one of the few countries that supported the Burmese Military Council since the February 1, 2021 revolution when the uprising overthrew a civilian government and arrested Democrat leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other high-ranking officials.

Myanmar's Military Council Supports Russia's Invasion of Ukraine https://t.co/ZYRTsV71rQ
— Voice of America (@VOANews) February 25, 2022

Since then, the United Nations (UN) and Burma affairs experts have called on the military council to ban arms sales. However, Russia has been ignoring this demand.

Russia threatens ‘military consequences’ if Finland joins NATO

Russia stripped of hosting duties by UEFA amid Ukraine crisis

According to reports, following the Military Council’s support for the ongoing Russian invasion, the fallen Burmese government has countered support in a statement issued on the social networking website Twitter, on Friday, “The National Unity Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar condemns the unprovoked acts of war directed against Ukraine and its people.” They further termed the attack “terrifying” and elaborated that the situation in Ukraine is against the United Nations Charter and International Law which is not a good example of 21st-century diplomacy.

Statement on Ukraine by #NUG #Myanmar
Myanmar stands in solidarity with the people of #Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/1EWJ3YcpzK
— National Unity Government Myanmar (@NUGMyanmar) February 25, 2022

The exiled civilian government maintained that the Russian invasion is a hurdle in the international peace process, security, and human development, according to VOA Burmese.