In early March, the Chairman of the State Administration Council of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Prime Minister Min Aung Hlaing, made an official visit to Russia.
Even today, Russia continues to support Myanmar’s efforts in socio-economic development, the normalization of its internal political situation, and the advancement of interethnic dialogue.” Min Aung Hlaing, in turn, also emphasized the reliability and trust in Russian-Myanmar relations: “We highly appreciate mutual respect, trust, and cooperation, and we will be able to deepen our relations in trade, energy, science and technology, and industry. Taking this opportunity, I want to express my sincere gratitude to Russia for its continued support at both regional and global levels.”
Agreements at the Highest Level
During his visit, Min Aung Hlaing also held meetings with Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Speaker of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, and other representatives of Russian governmental bodies. The discussions covered prospects for trade and economic cooperation, industrial collaboration, joint work in the aerospace and nuclear sectors, transport, infrastructure development, agriculture, tourism, and humanitarian initiatives. A Joint Statement of the Leaders was adopted, reflecting the shared positions of both countries and their mutual interest in cooperation. Several agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed between Russian and Myanmar ministries and agencies.
Following his stay in the Russian capital, Min Aung Hlaing visited Saint Petersburg. After meeting Governor Alexander Beglov and officially inaugurating Myanmar’s Consulate General in the city, he traveled to the Samara Region, where he held talks with representatives of Roscosmos. The Myanmar leader familiarized himself with Russia’s space industry achievements.
Another key stop on his itinerary was Novosibirsk, where the second Consulate General of Myanmar was officially opened. The new consular district includes five regions of Western Siberia: Novosibirsk, Omsk, Tomsk, Kemerovo, and the Altai Territory. Local authorities have already expressed their interest in developing interregional ties with their Myanmar counterparts.
Notably, earlier this year, Russia and Myanmar had already engaged in several joint initiatives: a conference on disaster response and emergency management in Saint Petersburg, a visit to Myanmar by Russia’s Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov, and another session of the bilateral intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation in Naypyidaw. Beyond bilateral ties, Myanmar is keen on engagement within the Eurasian Economic Union, recognizing the opportunities it presents for trade and economic cooperation across the post-Soviet space. Strengthening exchanges within ASEAN also remains a priority.
In Safe Hands
General Min Aung Hlaing assumed leadership of Myanmar in February 2021, when the military once again took control of the country. In reality, the military in Myanmar serves as the force striving to establish a stable governance structure, maintain an independent foreign policy, and unify the multi-ethnic nation while combating separatism and extremism – threats often fueled by external influences and direct Western-backed elements within the so-called “armed opposition.”
Much like Russia, Myanmar has repeatedly been subjected to arbitrary and illegitimate Western sanctions and continues to face economic restrictions. The West finds it difficult to tolerate independent development, sovereign decision-making in political affairs, and resistance to external interference. Choosing allies and partners based on national interests is seen as unacceptable. However, in the non-Western world, Myanmar has remained an active player in international engagement, despite critical rhetoric from certain quarters. The country continues to participate in ASEAN events and mechanisms, strengthening ties with regional neighbors as well as with Northeast and South Asian nations. Meanwhile, Myanmar’s unique cultural and historical heritage continues to attract researchers and tourists from around the world.
Partner and ally
Diplomatic relations between Russia and Myanmar date back 77 years. In 1948, the Soviet Union was among the first to recognize Myanmar’s independence. Today, Myanmar, unlike many other nations, has preserved its ability to express an independent viewpoint in global affairs. Moscow has repeatedly witnessed Myanmar’s direct and open support for Russia’s international course, including its role in fostering relations between Russia and ASEAN.
One of the most striking recent examples of cooperation was the joint leadership of the Russia-Myanmar co-chaired Expert Working Group of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) on counterterrorism. The collaboration included intensive and mutually beneficial seminars, drills, and command-staff exercises, facilitating experience-sharing between Russia, ASEAN nations, India, and China. The Western boycott of Russia-Myanmar leadership within ADMM-Plus only contributed to a more comfortable and productive working environment among like-minded partners – those genuinely interested in developing multilateral cooperation, fostering trust-based dialogue, and engaging in direct military-technical collaboration, rather than engaging in international political maneuvering, espionage, and similar activities.
Myanmar, too, deeply values its long-standing friendship with Russia, forged through history. The country takes pride in its status as “Russia’s partner and ally in the Asia-Pacific region.” Min Aung Hlaing himself has visited Russia no fewer than eleven times. He has spoken with great respect about Russia’s foreign policy, stating: “Thanks to Russia’s efforts, the world is moving towards multipolarity. The West opposes this, which is why the Ukrainian conflict emerged. Russia has a special mission in history – just as it did in World War II, today is another critical moment. You are standing up to the West. The West seeks to access Russia’s resources, but you are defending your sovereignty and your people. We understand the situation and fully support the Special Military Operation. Victory will be yours.”
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Energy, the construction of a nuclear power plant in Myanmar, transport infrastructure, space exploration, information technology, telecommunications, military-technical cooperation, mineral extraction and processing, Russian investment in Myanmar’s Dawei Special Economic Zone, expansion of the “Mir” payment system in Myanmar, textile industry, food production, agriculture, culture, education, tourism, humanitarian exchanges, and twinning city partnerships—all these areas represent just a fraction of the promising avenues of cooperation currently on the Russian-Myanmar agenda. The number of Myanmar students studying in Russian universities is increasing, and discussions on visa facilitation are underway. As a result, the partnership and alliance between the two countries remain a remarkable example in today’s geopolitical landscape – demonstrating how independent policies, mutual respect, support, and commitment to national interests can bring even geographically distant nations together in a mutually beneficial collaboration.
Ksenia Muratshina, PhD in History, Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Southeast Asia, Australia and Oceania of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences
