Russia-Burma relations
Websites/Multiple Documents
Description:
About 7,680 results (January 2018)
Source/publisher:
Tass (Russian Govt. news agency)
Date of entry/update:
2018-01-28
Grouping:
Websites/Multiple Documents
Category:
Russia-Burma relations
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Source/publisher:
Wikipedia
Date of entry/update:
2009-03-07
Grouping:
Websites/Multiple Documents
Category:
Russia-Burma relations
Language:
English
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Description:
This is a blind link as I do not read Russian. It came from Wikipedia
under the heading "Myanmar?Russia relations"
Source/publisher:
Wikipedia
Date of entry/update:
2016-05-20
Grouping:
Websites/Multiple Documents
Category:
Russia-Burma relations
Language:
Russian
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Individual Documents
Sub-title:
Vladimir Putin met with Chairman of the State Administration Council, Prime Minister of the Caretaker Government, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Min Aung Hlaing on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum.
Description:
"President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Prime Minister, colleagues, friends,
I am delighted to meet you.
Myanmar is our long-standing and reliable partner in Southeast Asia. I believe that next year we will mark 75 years of our diplomatic relations.
Our relations are developing positively. The volume of our trade and economic ties is still modest in absolute figures, but the trend is very good: it has increased by 140 percent in the first six months of this year.
You visited our country several times in various capacities. This time you have come as Prime Minister of the Caretaker Government and Chairman of the State Administration Council. I know that you have a packed agenda in Russia, which includes a visit to the Vostochny Space Launch Centre.
I would like to thank you for accepting our invitation to the Eastern Economic Forum.
I am very glad to see you. Welcome.
Chairman of the State Administration Council of Myanmar Min Aung Hlaing (retranslated):I am glad to see you too, and I would like to thank you for organising this meeting.
Mr President has pointed out correctly that next year we will mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, which is a major celebration for us. Of course, since the establishment of diplomatic relations we have seen periods of growth and pauses, but 20 years ago our cooperation started developing intensively, and it continues in the same manner now.
Your country is a great historic power. Almost 30 years ago, you had a difficult period as well, but you have overcome it, and with your assistance the country has been developing intensively, and we can see that growth pace.
I am proud of you that under your leadership Russia has become a number one country in the world, if I may say so. We would like to describe you not as the leader of Russia but the leader of the world, because you are monitoring and masterminding stability in the world.
If I may, I would like to share some information with you.
Vladimir Putin: I will be delighted..."
Source/publisher:
Official Internet Resources of the President of Russia
Date of publication:
2022-09-07
Date of entry/update:
2022-09-07
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Individual Documents
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Sub-title:
The junta’s alliance with Russia has been a disaster for Myanmar’s people, fuelling a crisis that has been abetted by the international community, activist Khin Ohmar writes
Description:
"Over the past year, more military attacks have been launched against civilians in Myanmar than in Syria, Yemen, Iraq or Afghanistan, according to figures compiled by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, which also designated the country as the world’s deadliest place to be a protester in 2021.
The Myanmar military is using helicopter gunships and jets to bomb wide swathes of the country. Schools, hospitals and places of worship have been targets of heavy shelling. The military has torched the homes of villagers, who have taken shelter in the jungle, finding caves in which to hide and spend sleepless nights. Entire villages have been incinerated. Massacres have become a form of collective punishment against a nationwide civilian resistance, unrelenting in the face of the junta’s brutality.
Some 578,200 people have fled their homes since the military junta staged an attempted coup in February 2021, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
The vicious reprisals and systematic attacks from the junta, enabled by Russian arms and equipment, are as horrific as those committed by Russian forces in Ukraine in recent months.
On Thursday and Friday, President Biden is hosting the leaders of Southeast Asian nations at a special summit in Washington DC, where the US will be looking to garner support from the regional bloc to strengthen the coalition against Moscow. A key component of his strategy should be to convince the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to change course on the Myanmar junta, one of Russia’s staunchest allies.
The administration can use the opportunity of the US-ASEAN summit to pressure the bloc to go beyond its impotent response to the junta’s flouting of international law and engage with the legitimate National Unity Government, established by and representing the peoples of Myanmar.
But Biden has a chance to go further. The President should call for a global arms embargo against the Myanmar military and direct his UN ambassador to put the matter on the agenda of the UN Security Council, which the US is chairing for the month of May.
An embargo would deliver a direct blow to Russian interests.
Russia is busy selling jet fighters, armoured vehicles, surface-to-air missiles, and mobile defence systems to the Myanmar military. According to the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, the transfer of arms by Russia “ha[s] occurred with the full knowledge that they would be used to attack civilians, in probable violation of international law.”
The Russian regime sees the Myanmar junta as a source of hard currency to sustain its autocratic rule.
Since 2018, at least 19 Russian companies have supplied arms and equipment to the Myanmar military—including the US-sanctioned state-owned arms conglomerate Rostec and its multiple subsidiaries. In April 2021, the head of Russia’s truck giant, Kamaz, visited Myanmar to hold talks with the junta about manufacturing trucks in Myanmar. Kamaz produces the vehicle that serves as the platform for the Pantsir-S1 surface-to-air missile system, which the junta ordered from Russia last year.
The ties between the junta and Russia appear to be strengthening. An April 25 letter issued by the Central Bank of Myanmar revealed that junta-backed banks are forming an alliance with Russian banks, according to a recent RFA report. This would provide a back channel for the junta to purchase Russian weapons in defiance of sanctions that seek to banish Russia from the global financial system and stop the junta's procurement of arms.
The alliance has been a disaster for the Myanmar people. But the crisis has been abetted by the global community—by the ineffectual gestures of ASEAN, by the empty rhetoric of UN statements. The lack of concrete, coordinated international action is allowing Russia to establish a client state in the middle of Asia, destabilising the region while fuelling the junta’s terror.
President Biden has a chance to begin the process of severing the links between the Russian Federation and the Myanmar junta. He can take a stand against the Kremlin’s support for the ongoing campaign of mass killing, torture, sexual violence, and abuse committed by Myanmar’s military junta. The time to act is now..."
Source/publisher:
"Myanmar Now" (Myanmar)
Date of publication:
2022-05-13
Date of entry/update:
2022-05-13
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Russia-Burma relations, USA-Burma relations, Politics and Government - global and regional - general studies, strategies, theory
Language:
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Sub-title:
Asia Times' correspondent Bertil Lintner explains why Russia has warmly embraced Myanmar's military coup makers
Description:
"This exclusive Q & A first appeared on Asia Times’ Southeast Asia Insider newsletter. If you are not already a subscriber please sign up here.
A recent visit to the Russian capital by Myanmar’s Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has caught the attention of analysts and observers and raised questions over Moscow’s motives for forging ever-closer relations with the Tatmadaw, which has been shunned and sanctioned by the West following its seizure of power in a February coup.
The erstwhile Soviet Union had once been a major power in Southeast Asia, but lost influence in the region following its collapse in 1991. Under President Vladimir Putin’s watch, Moscow has slowly but surely rebuilt many of those frayed ties with regional autocracies and democracies alike, primarily through arms deals.
Asia Times’ correspondent and renowned Myanmar expert Bertil Lintner reported on the deepening ties between Moscow and Naypyidaw this week. In this week’s Q&A segment, Lintner weighs in on what he sees as a geopolitically resurgent Russia more clearly than ever telegraphing its presence in Southeast Asia.
Why is Russia openly embracing Myanmar’s coup government while the West and US penalize and condemn its suspension of democracy?
Firstly because Myanmar is a big buyer of Russian military hardware. But there are other important reasons why Moscow wants to maintain close relations with the country’s ruling military.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, old Asian allies drifted away and sought other economic as well as strategic partners. Under President Vladimir Putin, Russia has been able to restore some, though not all, of its former glory as a global superpower. It’s a work in progress.
Moscow’s friendship with Naypyitaw should be seen from that perspective. It is also important for Moscow to set an example here as it strives to disrupt Western efforts to promote democracy in Asia and elsewhere.
For the Myanmar military, which has been condemned by most of the democratic world for its coup and subsequent brutality against protesters, it is desperately looking for partners and recognition and Russia fits the bill.
Not even China, Myanmar’s old ally, is willing to offer as much open political and diplomatic support as Russia. Moscow is looking for a new, trustworthy ally in the region that can help reestablish the influence lost after the Soviet Union’s demise.
Both Russia and China have blocked the UN Security Council from imposing sanctions against Myanmar’s junta. Are the two powers working in concert or do they have divergent interests in Myanmar?
Naturally because both countries are opposed to Western ideas of democracy taking root in Asia and both resented the influence that the US and other Western countries managed to gain during the ten years of relative openness that Myanmar enjoyed from 2011 to 2021.
But there are also differences. The Russians have put all their eggs in one basket, the military, while China also maintains cordial relationships with ethnic armed organizations opposed to the Myanmar military and government, primarily the United Wa State Army. The ceasefire group is well-equipped with sophisticated Chinese weaponry, including surface-to-air missiles, artillery and even armored personnel carriers.
China’s policy can be characterized as carrot and stick: the carrot is business, trade and support at the UN’s Security Council; the stick is the UWSA and its armed rebel allies. If China doesn’t get what it wants, the UWSA will get more weapons, not to fight the Myanmar military but as a show of force and to make sure that an offensive against the UWSA would be too costly.
But for that reason, Myanmar’s generals are also wary of the Chinese and suspicious of their motives, which go way beyond having cordial bilateral ties. Myanmar is the only neighbor that provides China direct access to the Bay of Bengal, bypassing contested waters in the South China Sea and the congested Malacca Strait.
Therefore, China is playing power games in Myanmar through its ties to the UWSA and its allies – and by cultivating individuals in the military and in politics and the media who could be used to enhance China’s strategic interests in Myanmar. Russia, on the other hand, is a relatively problem-free ally.
How will a Russia-influenced and armed Myanmar potentially shift the region’s strategic dynamics and balance of power?
The flow of Russian (and, of course, Chinese) weapons to Myanmar has turned its armed forces into one of the most numerous and best-equipped in the region. And even if its adversaries have been domestic ethnic and political rebels, the Myanmar military also has a long history of actually fighting.
Moreover, Myanmar is now ruled by a military junta with little or no civilian input. There is no other country in the region, not even Thailand, where the military has such a strong position in governance and policy-making. Anyone including businessmen, diplomats, UN personnel and other outsiders who want to deal with the country has to deal with the generals first. There are at present no other players.
A new, better-armed and more powerful Myanmar military has become a regional force to be reckoned with. The Myanmar-Russian alliance may not alter the overall balance of power in the region, but it will no doubt have an impact as it has given the Russians a new strategic foothold in Asia.
But there are also differences to keep in mind. Culturally and socially, Myanmar and Russia are light years apart and for those reasons interactions between the two sides are not going to be easy. Only time will tell how this unique relationship will develop.
For the time being, Myanmar has no other choice in terms of powerful outside allies and so far the Russians have played their cards quite skillfully..."
Source/publisher:
"Asia Times" (Hong Kong)
Date of publication:
2021-07-05
Date of entry/update:
2021-07-06
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
2021 Burma/Myanmar coup d'état, Politics and Government - global and regional - general studies, strategies, theory, Business and the Military, Russia-Burma relations
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more
Description:
"MOSCOW, June 23 (Reuters) - Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu told Myanmar's junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing that Moscow is committed to strengthening military ties with it, Russia's RIA news agency reported.
Rights activists have accused Moscow of legitimising the junta, which seized power in a Feb. 1 coup, by continuing bilateral visits and arms deals.
"We are determined to continue our efforts to strengthen bilateral ties based on the mutual understanding, respect and trust that have been established between our countries," RIA quoted Shoigu as saying at a meeting on Tuesday.
Min Aung Hlaing was in the Russian capital to attend a security conference and had earlier met Nikolai Patrushev, the secretary of Russia's Security Council. read more
Defence ties between the two countries have grown in recent years with Moscow providing army training and university scholarships to thousands of soldiers, as well as selling arms to a military blacklisted by several Western countries.
Little light was shed on how cooperation between Russia and Myanmar may develop and whether Moscow would be willing to sell more military equipment there.
Since the army seized power and removed Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government, troops have put down pro-democracy demonstrations and strikes and killed or arrested hundreds of protesters.
Addressing a Moscow conference on Wednesday, Min Aung Hlaing repeated that the army took power by force because Suu Kyi's party won the election through fraud - an accusation rejected by the previous election commission and international monitors.
With Myanmar being one of the traditional export markets for the Russian weaponry, rising tensions there provide Moscow with a good chance to increase military sales, Alexey Kirichenko, Associate Professor at the Institute of Asian and African Countries at the Moscow State University, said.
"This makes it possible for Russia to conclude lucrative contracts... The situation in the country is very difficult, and the Burmese military needs to build up their military potential," he said.
On Tuesday, Myanmar security forces backed by armoured vehicles clashed with a newly formed guerrilla group in the second biggest city Mandalay, resulting in at least two casualties. read more
Russia said in March it was deeply concerned by the rising number of civilian deaths in Myanmar. President Vladimir Putin does not plan to meet Min Aung Hlaing on his visit to Moscow, Kremlin has said..."
Source/publisher:
"Reuters" (UK)
Date of publication:
2021-06-23
Date of entry/update:
2021-06-24
Grouping:
Individual Documents
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Description:
"Myanmar is on the brink of collapse. Its armed forces are continuing a brutal crackdown—arresting, torturing and killing protesters—as Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s de-facto leader, is detained. Our experts answer your questions..."
Source/publisher:
The Economist
Date of publication:
2021-05-11
Date of entry/update:
2021-05-16
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
2021 Burma/Myanmar coup d'état, Human Rights and international relations, Racial or ethnic discrimination in Burma: reports of violations against several groups, China-Burma-India relations, Russia-Burma relations, Sanctions - general, Political History, Economic activities of the Myanmar Military, Business and the Military, Sanctions, Spring Revolution
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Description:
"The UN Security Council failed to agree Friday on a joint statement on the crisis in Myanmar after a closed-door meeting, with diplomats blaming Beijing -- the junta's main backer -- and Russia for raising objections and putting forward their own competing text.
The session was convened by Vietnam to present the conclusions of a recent Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Indonesia. ASEAN is to appoint an envoy to help resolve the crisis sparked by the February 1 coup by the Myanmar military.
During the meeting, the UN Special Envoy to Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, who is currently touring the region, gave a report on her long meeting with Myanmar junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing, held on the sidelines of the ASEAN meeting.
Diplomats said the envoy, who is currently based in Bangkok, once again had her request for a visit to Myanmar denied.
During the meeting, Brunei, which currently holds the presidency of ASEAN, floated the idea of a joint visit to Myanmar by the UN envoy and her future ASEAN counterpart.
A draft Security Council declaration, drawn up by Britain, failed to win full endorsement as it stood.
A copy obtained by AFP showed that it planned to give "full support for the central role of ASEAN" and to encourage a visit to Myanmar by Schraner Burgener "as soon as possible."
It said that members of the Security Council "once again strongly condemned violence against peaceful protestors" and "reiterated their call on the military to exercise utmost restraint."
But diplomats said China and Russia objected to the British draft and proposed their own short competing text, which proved unacceptable to the majority of the Security Council.
Discussions were still underway for a merger of the two draft statements on Friday, diplomats said.
Nearly 760 civilians have been killed by police and soldiers in the past three months, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).
The junta puts the death toll at 258 dead by April 15, calling the demonstrators "rioters" who engaged in "acts of terrorism".
Source/publisher:
Agence France-Presse (Paris) via "France24" ( Paris)
Date of publication:
2021-05-01
Date of entry/update:
2021-05-01
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
ASEAN-Burma relations, China-Burma relations, Russia-Burma relations, Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports, Human Rights and international relations
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Description:
"Authors: Artyom Lukin, Far Eastern Federal University and Andrey Gubin, Russian Institute for Strategic Studies
On 1 February 2021, Myanmar’s military junta declared a state of emergency and seized power from the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. The coup immediately created a political crisis and resulted in mass bloodshed, but the international response has been divided.
While the US-led West and its key Asian allies such as Japan and South Korea condemn the coup and imposed sanctions on the junta, other key powers are more ambivalent. In the UN Security Council, China, India and Russia have made efforts to shield the perpetrators from harsher censure and potential UN sanctions.
From the very beginning Russia has refused to condemn the coup, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs merely expressing hope for ‘a peaceful settlement of the situation through the resumption of political dialogue’. In the same statement, Moscow noted as an encouraging sign that the military intended to hold a new parliamentary election. Russian state-owned news agency RIA Novosti justified the coup by arguing that the Myanmar army, the Tatmadaw, is the only viable guarantor of the multi-ethnic country’s unity and peace.
The most visible manifestation of Russian support for the junta came in late March, when Deputy Minister of Defence Alexander Fomin became the highest-ranking foreign official to attend Myanmar’s Armed Forces Day parade in the capital Naypyidaw. While the military was violently cracking down on protestors, Fomin held talks with junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. He called Myanmar ‘Russia’s reliable ally and strategic partner in Southeast Asia and the Asia Pacific’ and emphasised that Moscow ‘adheres to the strategic course of enhancing relations between the two countries’.
There are several reasons why Russia is emerging as the most high-profile supporter of the Myanmar military government.
Moscow’s close ties with Myanmar date back to the 1950s. Given that for most of its modern history the Southeast Asian country has been governed by the military, Russia has developed a working relationship with its uniformed rulers. Incumbent strongman general Min Aung Hlaing has visited Russia on numerous occasions, most recently in June 2020 to attend the Victory Day parade in Moscow, and is known as a champion of Myanmar–Russia ties.
Under Min Aung Hlaing, Myanmar–Russia military cooperation has received a boost. After China, Russia is the country’s second largest supplier of arms, being the source of at least 16 per cent of weaponry procured by Myanmar from 2014–2019. Myanmar’s military is now awaiting the delivery of six Su-30 fighter jets ordered in 2019, and in January 2021 the two sides signed contracts for a Russian air defence system and a suite of surveillance drones.
Thousands of Myanmar’s military officers have also received training in Russia’s military academies. Tellingly, the Myanmar commander-in-chief maintains an official account on Russia’s VK social network while being banned from Facebook and Twitter. It is not coincidental that the Kremlin’s main interlocutor with Myanmar is defence minister Sergey Shoigu, who happened to visit the country just several days before the 1 February coup.
Given this long-standing and profitable relationship with the Myanmar military, it stands to reason that Russia is not going to condemn the coup, let alone sanction the junta. Russian President Vladimir Putin has never been known for his sympathies for pro-democracy movements backed by the West, and the Kremlin hardly sees the English-educated Aung Sang Suu Kyi, whose two sons are British nationals, as a desirable alternative to uniformed rulers.
Moscow’s support for a military dictatorship could damage its international reputation, but with what has already transpired between Putin and the West, the Kremlin could hardly care less about its reputational fallout from Myanmar. In defence of its stance on Myanmar, Russia could also point to Western hypocrisy — neighbouring Thailand is ruled by generals with dubious democratic credentials, but the country remains in the West’s good graces due to being a ‘treaty ally’ of the United States.
It is unclear to what extent Moscow will coordinate its Myanmar policies with Beijing, Russia’s main strategic partner and a fellow autocracy. The Chinese government has refrained from condemning the military takeover, but compared to Russia it has been conspicuously less supportive — China’s relationship with the Tatmadaw has always been complicated, and Beijing is hardly happy about the coup.
Whereas Moscow’s relationship to Myanmar is mostly limited to military-to-military ties, with scant social and economic interactions, China’s relations with its southern neighbour are more multi-dimensional. Beijing cannot afford to antagonise pro-democracy segments of Myanmar’s population, so it needs to adopt a more complex approach.
Moscow and Beijing are likely discussing the situation in Myanmar, but their strategies differ. Russia is driven by the desire to keep lucrative military contracts and possibly gain a foothold in the Indian Ocean. By contrast, Beijing is guided by more long-term strategic interests dictated by Myanmar’s immediate proximity to China’s Yunnan province.
Viewing itself as a global great power, Russia has a stake in maintaining a strategic presence in Myanmar, a geopolitically important country in the Indo-Pacific. To retain and expand Russia’s links with Myanmar, the Kremlin has banked on the generals. It remains to be seen if Moscow’s calculus will turn out to be the right one..."
Source/publisher:
"East Asia Forum" (Australia)
Date of publication:
2021-04-27
Date of entry/update:
2021-04-28
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Russia-Burma relations, Arms (Military Expenditure, Arms Transfers, Arms Production Etc), Political role of the Tatmadaw, Military History, 2021 Burma/Myanmar coup d'état
Language:
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Sub-title:
Russia has continued to support the Myanmar regime after a military coup ousted Aung San Suu Kyi and brought an end to a decade of civilian rule.
Description:
"The Myanmar military regime imported $14.7 million in radar equipment in February, Russian customs data seen by The Moscow Times.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu agreed to supply Myanmar with Pantsir-S1 surface-to-air missile systems, Orlan-10E surveillance drones and radar equipment during a visit to the capital Naypyidaw in January. The deal was made a week before a military coup ousting Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint, which brought an end to a decade of civilian rule.
It is unclear if the Russian radar equipment Myanmar imported in February was part of the January agreement. The Russian Federal Customs Service (FCS) did not respond to a request for comment.
Russia has continued to support the increasingly isolated Myanmar regime. During a visit to Yangoon at the end of March, Russia’s Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin — who was the first high-profile foreign official to visit the country after the coup — vowed to deepen military cooperation between the two countries.
According to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute data for 2019, Myanmar's spending on Russian arms imports totaled an estimated $807 million for the decade, making Russia the number two military exporter to Myanmar behind China.
In December, trade data also showed that Russia exported $96 million worth of goods classified as “hidden,” which are often defense-related products. While overall trade between Russia and Myanmar remains minimal, Myanmar’s leaders have urged Russian businesses to invest in the country.
Their statements come as the international community increasingly shuns the Myanmar junta over its human rights violations. The U.S. has suspended a trade deal with Myanmar while several Singaporean companies, including a firm that sold anti-drone products to Myanmar's police, have canceled their deals.
Over 500 civilians are reported to have been killed following the coup and the United Nations human rights office has warned the situation was heading “toward a full-blown conflict.”
The EU, which on Monday introduced a new round of sanctions against Myanmar’s generals, has previously accused Russia of hampering a united international response to Myanmar’s military coup..."
Source/publisher:
The Moscow Times ( Moscow)
Date of publication:
2021-04-21
Date of entry/update:
2021-04-21
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Russia-Burma relations, 2021 Burma/Myanmar coup d'état, Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports, Right to Life: reports of violations in Burma, Burma's economic relations with Russia
Language:
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Description:
"China and Russia face pressure to prevent genocide in Myanmar after Thursday’s decision by an international court called on the South Asian country to stop the killing, says Canada’s special envoy to the crisis.
The unanimous decision by the International Court of Justice is a strong signal to Russia and China, which have blocked the United Nations Security Council from referring the violence to the International Criminal Court, said Bob Rae, who the Liberal government tapped to take part in diplomatic efforts to address the deadly crisis.
Rae and Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne both urged Myanmar to fully comply with the ruling from The Hague-based court, which demanded it protect its minority Muslim Rohingya population from genocide.
Champagne said Canada will work with its allies to keep the pressure on Myanmar.
The 17 judges on the panel called on Myanmar to do everything in its power to stop what it said was a genocide against the Rohingya. The court flatly rejected Myanmar’s plea — put forth by the country’s civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi — that the case be thrown out. Suu Kyi, a one-time icon of peace who has since been stripped of her honorary Canadian citizenship, denied there was a genocide..."
Source/publisher:
"Toronto Star" ( Toronto)
Date of publication:
2020-01-23
Date of entry/update:
2020-01-24
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
International Court of Justice (ICJ) - Myanmar, Arakan (Rakhine) State - reports etc. by date (latest first), International Criminal Court, China-Burma relations, Russia-Burma relations
Language:
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Sub-title:
Russia desperately wants to increase its arms exports.
Description:
"With the first serially produced Su-57 scheduled for delivery to the Russian Air Force by the end of 2019, aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi unveiled the export variant of Russia’s flagship fifth-generation fighter at the MAKS 2019 air show earlier this summer. In an illustration of the Kremlin’s increasingly proactive advertising approach, Russian President Vladimir Putin made news waves for personally pitching the Su-57E to his Turkish counterpart Recep Erdoğan.
But this recent focus on high-profile presidential outings belies years of persistent behind-the-scenes work by Russia’s state arms export agency-- Rosoboronexport-- to line up a surprisingly wide array of potential Su-57 buyers and investors. Here is a current shortlist of all prospective Su-57 importers. Myanmar: The most recent addition to this list, Myanmar’s ambassador to Russia Ko Ko Shein Russia notified Moscow of his government’s interest in importing the Su-57 earlier this month. Myanmar previously signed a contract with Rosoboronexport to replace its aging Soviet MiG-29’s with a fleet of Su-30SM Flankers. Even if it uses objectively more expensive components, the Su-57E could end up costing Myanmar barely more than the Su-30SM; as previously described by The National Interest, the Russian government is willing to “short-sell” the Su-57 in the short term if it plants the seeds of a profitable export platform down the line. Though unsuited for helping Myanmar’s government with their ongoing counterinsurgency efforts, the Su-57E would go far in shoring up Myanmar’s drastic deficiency in air-to-air power..."
Source/publisher:
"The National Interest" (USA)
Date of publication:
2019-11-14
Date of entry/update:
2019-11-20
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Burma/Myanmar's Foreign relations, general, China-Burma-India relations, Russia-Burma relations
Language:
more
Sub-title:
Russian naval training ship Perekop paid a friendly visit to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar on November 13-15, dropping anchor at the Myanmar International Terminal, Thilawa Port on the Yangon River.
Description:
"Under the command of Second Rank Captain Vladimir Cherokov, the visit lasted three days – including brief shore leave, and for the vessel to replenish supplies.
On November 14, from 10am till 2pm, Perekop was open to locals. Of those who were particularly interested, a number of Russian residents and seamen from the Myanmar Navy also enjoyed the experience. They were given a unique opportunity to board the ship for a closer look, and to learn firsthand about the ship’s history, its construction, detailed designs and naval armament. The tours were guided by a Russian sailor on board. The training warship Perekop is part of the Russian Navy’s Baltic Fleet, and is equipped with a modern radio communications system and navigational equipment, as well as an impressive combat armament. This year, the Perekop set sail from Kronshtadt, which is a small naval base in St Petersberg, on July 5. Throughout the journey across the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, cadets have been practising navigational drills and combat exercises.
“Perekop is a training ship within the Baltic fleet. The vessel’s body length is 138 metres, and it weighs some 7200 tonnes. Adopted by the Baltic fleet of Russian Navy in the early 1970s, the name Perekop means ‘strong and unconquerable,’” explained Roman Iskandarov, a Russian sailor who came along with the Perekop..."
Source/publisher:
"Myanmar Times" (Myanmar)
Date of publication:
2019-11-18
Date of entry/update:
2019-11-18
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Russia-Burma relations
Language:
more
Description:
"Russia is assembling six Sukhoi SU-30SM fighter jets for Myanmar under a contract worth about US$204 million signed between the two nations last year, Russian news outlets reported on Wednesday.
The news was unveiled during the latest visit to Russia by Myanmar military commander-in-chief Senior-General Min Aung Hlaing to attend the 8th Moscow Conference on International Security this week. Some military observer websites put the market price of one of the twin-turbine engine aircraft at about US$34 million.
At a press conference, Sen-Gen. Min Aung Hlaing said Russia’s military hardware was “very useful” for his military in key locations in Myanmar.
Sen-Gen. Min Aung Hlaing personally inspected the production of the planes at Irkustsk Aviation Plant on April 23. Before the Russia tour, he traveled to China and visited an armored vehicle training school in Beijing and met with senior officers of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) on April 11..."
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy" (Thailand)
Date of publication:
2019-04-25
Date of entry/update:
2019-11-08
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
more
Sub-title:
Russia on Wednesday offered to support Myanmar on the digital front, with proposals to help the country draft its first cyber security law, build e-government platforms and develop smart cities.
Description:
"More than 70 percent of the Russian population has round-the-clock access to e-government platforms, the use of which also helps to eliminate corruption and errors, said Alexey Volin, vice-minister of digital development, communications and mass media of the Russian Federation.
U Soe Thein, permanent secretary for the Ministry of Transport and Communications, said: “We are trying to promulgate a cyber law to cover e-government, e-commerce and cyber security. We are currently working with the World Bank to draft this legislation. We are waiting for the next step which is to conduct public consultations for the draft law.”
The Russians are also keen to help local broadcast media transition from analog to digital transmission. “Russia has 98.6 percent digital transmission coverage, the bulk of which is free of charge,” Mr Volin said, adding that Russia can also help local companies invest in the right equipment and infrastructure to make the transition.
But U Win Naing, senior managing director of Shwe Than Lwin Media, which owns Sky Net, said the biggest hurdle to adopting digital transmission in Myanmar is cost and terrain. “Myanmar is a big country with lots of mountainous terrain, so the infrastructure needed for digital is very expensive,” he said..."
Source/publisher:
"Myanmar Times" (Myanmar)
Date of publication:
2019-09-19
Date of entry/update:
2019-11-08
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Russia-Burma relations, Urban development
Language:
more
Description:
"A delegation from Myanmar that arrived in Moscow to attend the 8th Moscow Conference on International Security visited Russian defence military-industrial enterprises and examined their production, Russian Defence Minister, Army General Sergey Shoigu said at a meeting with Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services of Myanmar Min Aung Hlaing, according to a TASS report.
"I have learnt that the Myanmar delegation visited Russian military-industrial complex enterprises and examined their production and the manufacturing potential. Now you have an independent opinion on our capabilities," Army General Sergey Shoigu was quoted as saying.
Shoigu pointed out that Russia considers Myanmar to be a reliable ally and strategic partner in Southeast Asia and Asia-Pacific..."
Source/publisher:
"Mizzima" (Myanmar)
Date of publication:
2019-04-25
Date of entry/update:
2019-11-08
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Russia-Burma relations
Language:
more
Description:
"Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, arriving in the Russian Federation to attend the closing ceremony of the International Army Games-2019. is received Chairman of Russia-Myanmar Friendship Association Mikhail Arkadievich Dmitriev and party at Metropol Hotel on August 16 and they discussed getting assistance from Russia for cooperation in military technology, education and cultural sectors, announced the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services.
Chief of Armed Forces Training Lt-Gen Maung Maung Aye and senior military officers attended the meeting. The Chairman of Russia-Myanmar Friendship Association was accompanied by officials.
They cordially exchanged views on exchange of cultural troupes for enhancement of friendly relations between Russia and Myanmar and the two armed forces of both countries and further cooperation measures, mutual cooperation in the economic sector such as export and import businesses by building the economic cooperation centers, plans of assistance for generating electricity without causing impacts on the natural environment, necessary tasks to be undertaken by friendship associations to develop the tourism industry of both countries, and assistance from Russia for cooperation in military technology, education and cultural sectors, it said..."
Source/publisher:
"Eleven Media Group" (Myanmar)
Date of publication:
2019-08-19
Date of entry/update:
2019-11-07
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Russia-Burma relations
Language:
more
Sub-title:
Myanmar has made substantial shifts in its relations with major powers China, Russia and the United States. They are key regional players in Southeast Asia that will directly impact peace and stability as well as economic development in Myanmar.
Description:
"In the first half of the year, China has made impressive diplomatic inroads throughout Southeast Asia, taking advantage of the lack of policy clarity coming from US President Donald Trump's administration.
So far, Washington has flexed its muscles over the conflicts in Syria and Afghanistan and displayed a more reconciliatory tone on Europe. That much was clear. It was only on Thursday that Vice President Mike Pence disclosed that Trump would attend the Asia Pacific Economic Leaders Meeting in Vietnam, and the ASEAN-US Summit and East Asia Summit in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Beijing has been able to sharpen its long-standing policy and make the necessary adjustments to ensure strong friendships and cooperation with countries in the region. Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw’s recent visit to China demonstrated the new dynamics of their bilateral ties, which have encountered several challenges over the years.
Obviously, China has placed the highest value on U Htin Kyaw’s week-long trip, knowing that, amid growing anxieties over US policy toward the region, this would be the most pivotal time to further strengthen their 67-year-old bilateral ties.
The joint press communiqué issued after his visit was extensive and forward-looking, as China recognised the so-called Myanmar way of doing things..."
Source/publisher:
"Myanmar Times" (Myanmar)
Date of publication:
2017-04-24
Date of entry/update:
2019-11-07
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
China-Burma-US relations, Russia-Burma relations, Politics and Government - global and regional - general studies, strategies, theory
Language:
more
Description:
"Myanmar has made substantial shifts in its relations with major powers comprising China, Russia and the United States. They are key regional players in South-east Asia which will impact directly on peace and stability as well as economic development in Myanmar.
In the first half of this year, China has made impressive diplomatic inroads throughout South-east Asia, taking advantage of the lack of policy clarity coming from the new US administration of President Donald Trump.
So far, Washington has flexed its muscle over the conflicts in Syria and Afghanistan and displayed a more reconciliatory tone towards Europe. That much was clear. It was only on Thursday that US Vice-President Mike Pence said that Mr Trump would attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Leaders' Meeting in Vietnam, the Asean-US Summit and the East Asia Summit.
Meanwhile, Beijing has been able to sharpen its long-standing policy and make the necessary adjustments to ensure strong friendships and cooperation with countries in the region. Myanmar President Htin Kyaw's recent visit to China demonstrated the new dynamics of their bilateral ties, which have encountered different challenges over the years..."
Source/publisher:
"The Straits Times" (Singapore)
Date of publication:
2017-04-22
Date of entry/update:
2019-11-07
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
China-Burma-US relations, Russia-Burma relations
Language:
more
Description:
"Much has been reported on the recent release of the two Reuters journalists in Myanmar. Whilst the focus has been on issues of press freedom, many commentators have not evaluated the international response to the release. In my view, the response by the likes of Europe, USA, China and Russia, is an indicator of the growing geo-political tensions within the Asian region. More importantly, it highlights the potential that Myanmar has to unify China and Russia’s stance against what they view as the USA’s geo-political and ideological threat.
This Sino-Russia unification is being facilitated by developments along the China Belt Road Initiative (BRI), in which the China Myanmar Economic Corridor is playing an increasing role. As mentioned in earlier articles, Myanmar and the port of Kyauk Phyu, provides China with a solution for energy and trade security by allowing China to bypass the Malacca Straits. It also shifts the previous relations between China, Russia and Myanmar from being military in design to that built around trade.
This is in direct contrast to the US and UN pushing for more sanctions against Myanmar over what they see as human rights violations. Exacerbating this divide, is that the call for increased sanctions comes at a time when Myanmar is further opening its economy through regulatory change..."
Source/publisher:
"Mizzima" (Myanmar)
Date of publication:
2019-05-18
Date of entry/update:
2019-11-06
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
China-Burma-US relations, Russia-Burma relations, Burma/Myanmar's relationship with the Global Economy
Language:
more
Description:
"In a visit to Russia’s Irkutsk Aviation Plant Corporation on Saturday, Myanmar military chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing personally inspected the construction of an MC-21 narrow-body airliner, checked on piloting requirements for the plane and witnessing a test flight, according to the army’s website.
The Office of the Commander-in-Chief released a brief statement accompanied by three photos showing Sen-Gen Min Aung Hlaing sitting in a cockpit next to a test pilot from the Irkutsk company. The senior general asked the pilot about flying the MC-21 as well as installation processes for the aircraft.
Last Thursday, Sen-Gen Min Aung Hlaing flew to Russia with a delegation from Myanmar ahead of the Aug. 18 closing ceremony of the International Army Games 2019 hosted by the Russian Army. He had a meeting with Russian General Sergei Kuzhugetovich Shoigu, minister of defense of the Russian Federation, but no details were released.
Irkutsk is the same company that is assembling six Sukhoi Su-30 SM multi-role advanced fighter jets for Myanmar under a contract worth about US$204 million (310.85 billion kyats) signed by the two nations last year. The market price of one of the twin-turbine engine fighter jets is around $34 million.
It remains unclear whether the military chief discussed the progress of the assembly of the fighter jets with the Russian defense minister, or discussed future arms deals. During Sen-Gen Min Aung Hlaing’s visit to the Irkutsk plant in April, he told journalists that Russa’s military hardware is “very useful” for his military in key locations in Myanmar..."
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy"
Date of publication:
2019-08-19
Date of entry/update:
2019-08-20
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
more
Description:
"resident U Htin Kyaw, met Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin yesterday during his visit to attend a Summit commemorating the 20th anniversary of ASEAN-Russia Dialogue Partner Relations, state media reported.
The two leaders discussed matters relating to investment by Russian entrepreneurs in Myanmar?s oil and natural gas sector, resumption of air transport between Moscow and Yangon, the providing of technical assistance to No 2 Steel Mill (soon to be opened in Shan State), energy sector investors? need to consider social responsibility and cooperation in cultural, tourism and defence sectors.
They also discussed matters concerning education exchange programs, the providing of scholarship awards, Russia technology training and other disciplines, the continuation of cooperation in science and technology and ASEAN-Russia cooperation the report said."
Source/publisher:
"Mizzima"
Date of publication:
2016-05-20
Date of entry/update:
2016-05-21
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Russia-Burma relations
Language:
English
more
Description:
Abstract: "To date, few political scientists have researched the political,
economic, and social relationships between Russia and Myanmar. The
two countries, which at first glance may seem to have little in common,
have intensified their cooperation in recent years. This article explores
the ties between the two countries, not only the historical development
and the dimensions of the relationship, but it also examines the current
advantages and disadvantages of the relationship. Is Myanmar Russia?s
open door to the region in order for it to become a significant player in
the Asia-Pacific region? Can Russia provide a ?counterbalance? for the
smaller Southeast Asian countries against the great powers such as China
and India? Will this relationship be a pivotal one for both countries in
the future, or will it remain a limited partnership, restricted to particular
interests?".....
Keywords:
: Russia, Myanmar, Burma, ASEAN, Asia-Pacific
Ludmila Lutz-Auras
Source/publisher:
Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs , 34, 2
Date of publication:
2015-09-04
Date of entry/update:
2015-10-07
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Russia-Burma relations
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
261.72 KB
Local URL:
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Description:
"...With connections between the two nations [Russia and Burma] growing, Russia will likely be even more reliable in supporting Burma in the United Nations. Meanwhile, Burma will continue to look at the Russian way of business.
Although a Burmese nuclear program may not be as pressing as many believed, it is clear that the generals admire the nuclear leverage that North Korea enjoys. Outside the DSA a sign reads: "We are the victorious warriors of the future."
Alex Ellgee
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy"
Date of publication:
2010-10-06
Date of entry/update:
2012-07-22
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Russia-Burma relations
Language:
English
more
Description:
Russia has agreed to build a nuclear research centre in Burma, state atomic energy agency Rosatom has said.
Source/publisher:
BBC News
Date of publication:
2007-05-15
Date of entry/update:
2010-10-01
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Russia-Burma relations
Language:
English
more
Description:
Russia?s ambassador to Burma has told Burmese Foreign Minister Nyan Win that Moscow will be in a better position to support the Naypyidaw regime if it cooperates with UN special envoy Ibraham Gambari, according to a leaked written account of their meeting.
The secret document, leaked to The Irrawaddy by a Burmese Foreign Ministry source, said the Russian ambassador, Mikhail Mgeladze, reassured Nyan Win of Moscow?s continuing support, while urging cooperation with the UN. The two met on December 6 at Nyan Win?s office in Rangoon.
Min Lwin
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy"
Date of publication:
2008-12-23
Date of entry/update:
2010-10-01
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Russia-Burma relations
Language:
English
more
Description:
According to a May 15 Russian Atomic Energy Agency (Rosatom) press release, the two governments signed an intergovernmental cooperation agreement in Moscow to establish a ?nuclear studies? center in Burma, which will include a 10-megawatt, light water-moderated nuclear reactor.
The fuel for the reactor will contain uranium comprised of 20 percent uranium-235. Rosatom Press Secretary Sergey Novikov said May 15 that Russia is planning initially to supply 10 metric tons of fuel for the reactor, Gazeta.ru reported. Nuclear weapons use uranium containing more than 90 percent uranium-235.
Paul Kerr
Source/publisher:
News and Periodical Enterprise, Ministry of Information, Union of Myanmar
Date of publication:
2010-10-01
Date of entry/update:
2010-10-01
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Russia-Burma relations
Language:
English
more
Description:
A Russian-backed mining project in Burma?s war-torn Shan State will permanently destroy the homes and farmlands of 7,000 Pa-O villagers, according to a new report by the Pa-O Youth Organization (PYO).
Russian and Italian engineering companies are reportedly working together to develop a massive iron ore mine that will "decimate" Mount Pinpet or "Pinetree Mountain" in the eastern Burmese state of Shan.
Source/publisher:
Pa-O Youth Organization (PYO)
Date of publication:
2010-10-01
Date of entry/update:
2010-10-01
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Russia-Burma relations
Language:
English
more
Description:
"On 20 March 2007, the oil and gas ministry of Kalmykia (a constituent republic of the Russian Federation) signed an agreement with Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE) and Singapore's Silver Wave Energy for exploration and production of oil and gas from the B-2 onshore block, which borders India. According to reports quoting the Kalmykia republic's oil and gas minister, Boris Chedyrov, the participation will be "partial" with "only its specialists and drilling crews" taking part. Earlier in 2006, Russia's oil company Zarubezhneft and Myanmar's Energy Ministry signed a production-sharing contract for oil and gas exploration and production in Block M-8 of Mottama offshore fields in Southern Myanmar. Russia's importance for Myanmar was demonstrated earlier this year when it vetoed the US-sponsored resolution on Myanmar in the UN Security Council. Russia's veto (along with that of China's) was welcomed by Myanmar's junta. On several occasions its leadership has thanked Russia for vetoing the resolution, which from Myanmar's viewpoint, marks another cornerstone in its relations with Russia..."
K Yhome
Source/publisher:
Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi via Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies
Date of publication:
2007-04-04
Date of entry/update:
2009-03-07
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Russia-Burma relations
Language:
English
more
Description:
"Amid growing international pressure -- "particularly from the US" -- to institute long-promised democratic reforms, the Burmese junta?s lieutenant is likely to seek diplomatic favors from Moscow during his four-day state visit, which ends on Wednesday.
According to reports from Moscow, bilateral agreements on cooperation in the oil sector, the fight against drug trafficking and the protection of secret information have been reached between the two countries..."
Aung Lwin Oo
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy"
Date of publication:
2006-04-05
Date of entry/update:
2009-03-07
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Russia-Burma relations
Language:
English
more
Description:
"The current civil and political situation in Myanmar presents an opportunity for several major powers, namely Russia, China, India and the United States. Of these, Moscow has been working in concert with China to maintain the military-led status quo in Myanmar in order to preserve Russian interests.
For Russia, Myanmar is of growing economic interest since entering into various arms-for-energy access deals with the poor Southeast Asian country. In May, for example, Russian nuclear equipment export monopoly AtomStroyExport forged an agreement to construct a nuclear research center in Myanmar â�" an arrangement both sides say would be dedicated to only civilian uses, but one that has raised possible proliferation concerns among some Western countries..."
Source/publisher:
Asia Times Online
Date of publication:
2007-10-10
Date of entry/update:
2009-03-07
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Russia-Burma relations
Language:
English
more