While many countries have condemned the bloody crackdown by the Burmese military on popular demonstrations, Vladimir Putin sent a high-level delegation to Myanmar‘s military parade day to express support for the country’s coup dictatorship generals. In addition to trying to play the Burma card against the West and the United States, Russia’s move has geopolitical considerations aimed at China.
Russia’s image continues to be tarnished by siding with the executioners
A senior Russian delegation led by Deputy Defense Minister Fomin is on a two-day visit to Burma. The Russian delegation met with Myanmar’s military leader Min Aung Hlaing on March 26 and attended a military parade on March 27 to mark the 76th anniversary of Myanmar’s military establishment.
Russian media reported that China, India, Vietnam and a few other Southeast Asian countries sent military officials this Time. Russia, by contrast, had the highest rank of officials at the parade. The day of the parade became the bloodiest day of repression in Myanmar since the military coup, and as a result drew condemnation from the international community and many countries.
Former Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Kasyanov, a critic of Putin, said Putin continues to tarnish Russia’s international image as the Russian deputy defense minister was the only high-level foreign dignitary this time.
Blogger Adagamov said that the head of the Burmese dictatorial army specially presented Fomin with a medal and praised Russia. Political scientist Piontkovsky said that on one of Burma’s bloodiest days, Fomin stood beside the executioner on the viewing platform of the military parade in a display as ordered by Putin.
Marikin, a prominent Russian media personality in the 1990s and currently a blogger, said the Burmese coup soldiers were grateful for Russia’s support. It is a great shame for Russia that Burmese military chiefs are expected to be among the few foreign delegations to the Red Square parade in Moscow on the 76th anniversary of the victory in World War II in May.
Pro-Russian military chiefs push for cooperation, Russia unsuspectingly offers advanced weapons
When Russia held a Red Square parade last May on the 75th anniversary of victory in World War II, Min Aung Hlaing, known for his pro-Russianism, visited Moscow at that time to participate in the event. Myanmar’s military has been cooperating more and more closely with Russia in recent years. In addition to participating in Russian military competitions and sending a large number of officers to Russia for training, Burma has also made significant purchases of Russian weapons, including Yak-130 combat trainers, Mi-24 helicopter gunships, anti-aircraft missiles and radar systems. A large number of Russian-made weapons, including T-72 main battle tanks, MiG-29s and helicopter gunships, were on display at the military parade. The Russian Defense Ministry said the two sides plan to further strengthen military and military-technical cooperation.
Russia’s six Su-30SM warplanes to Myanmar will be delivered from this year. The Su-30SM is a fighter aircraft used by the Russian Air Force itself, and is an upgraded version of the Su-30MKI exported to India that the Russian military has tailored to its own needs, outperforming the Su-30s that Russia exports to China. Russia’s provision of its own fighter aircraft to Myanmar shows that not only is Russia not wary of Myanmar, but the closeness of their relationship is extraordinary.
This is the second time in just three months that a Russian military leader has visited Myanmar. Russian Defense Minister Shoigu also visited Myanmar in late January, when several arms deals were struck. No sooner had Shoigu left than Burmese soldiers staged a coup.
The Russian delegation received a high level of reception and courtesy this time. Fomin was in charge of foreign military cooperation and arms deals at the Russian Defense Ministry. Prior to becoming deputy defense minister, he was president of the Russian Defense Arms Export Corporation, which has a monopoly on arms trading.
All-around approach to Burma a good idea for Russia
The Russian delegation to Burma also included a number of other personalities and media interviews. Myanmar is a Buddhist country, and the fact that Fomin’s delegation included Russian Tibetan Buddhist leaders shows that Russia is making every effort to close ties with Myanmar.
Gushev, a well-known Russian media personality and owner and editor-in-chief of the influential Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper, also accompanied the delegation to Burma. Gushev is also the chairman of the Moscow Journalists’ Association and is a well-known Russian social activist, indicating that Russia’s desire for closer ties with Myanmar is not limited to military and arms deals.
Gusev’s interview with Min Aung Hlaing was featured in the Moscow Komsomol newspaper, which has a large circulation. Min Aung Hlaing expects to strengthen economic cooperation between the two sides, introduce Russian technologies, and invite the Russian business community to invest in Myanmar’s industrial development, as well as in tourism. Among Southeast Asian countries, Thailand and Vietnam currently grant visa-free access to Russian citizens, and Min Aung Hlaing promised to consider similar treatment for Russian citizens in Myanmar.
Moscow’s Komsomolskaya Gazeta, usually considered a liberal media outlet, this time carried a report that not only endorsed the coup by Burmese soldiers, but even justified their brutality. Another official media outlet, the military’s Red Star TV, covered the parade and visit in detail, but did not say a word about the crackdown.
When Fomin met with Min Aung Hlaing, Min Aung Hlaing referred to Russia as an old friend and trusted ally. For his part, Fomin described Burma as a reliable ally and strategic partner of Russia in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region. During the Epidemic, Russia provided vaccines and medical assistance to Myanmar.
Russia uses opportunity to enter Burma to gain foothold against U.S. and balance China
Some strategic analysts in Moscow say the Putin administration is interested in making a distinction with the Western world in Burma, apparently trying to play the Burma card against the United States. On the other hand, Burma is both a member of ASEAN and a neighbor of China, and Russia is stepping up its efforts to develop relations with China’s neighbors and other Asian countries as a way to balance Russia-China relations, making Burma an important part of this Russian strategy. If Russian forces can gain a firm foothold in Myanmar, Russia will have more leverage in its hands when Russia and China interact.
In addition, Russia wants to act as another independent force to try to provide Southeast Asian countries with a third alternative to the two major U.S. and Chinese forces. Russia sees an opportunity in the political turmoil in Myanmar, where the military regime distrusts and does not want to rely on China, and is wary of China.
Simonov, a strategic scholar, said Russia has no choice but to strengthen its ties with China after battling the United States in the West, but at the same time it has caused problems for Russia.
Simonov: “Russia has to get a good handle on the situation and know where the boundaries are. On the one hand, it should actively cooperate with China, but on the other hand, it should avoid forming dependence on China. Russia’s concerns and reasons are obvious, as China is both Russia’s neighbor and at the same time growing in national power.”
In addition to promoting diplomacy with Myanmar, just over a week ago another high-level delegation led by Putin’s close confidant, Russian National Security Council Secretary Patrushev, visited Vietnam, another ASEAN member and major Southeast Asian country. Russia also provided vaccines to Vietnam, and received the same courtesy and high level of hospitality from the Vietnamese side. Patrushev held separate meetings with the troika of Vietnam’s leadership, the General Secretary, the President and the Prime Minister.
Recent Comments