CNI News

September 2, 2023

Reviews and discussions about the relation between Myanmar Tatmadaw and Russian Army are under way among the political analysts local and abroad. Myanmar Tatmadaw and the Russian Army have had alliance relations since before and the alliance has become stronger after the State Administration Council took power on 1st February, 2021.

Myanmar Tatmadaw and Russia are trying to overcome the political crises beyond 2021 and have built a political/ military alliance, said Dr. Aye Maung, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), to CNI News.
 
"To tell you the truth, Tatmadaw's strategic partnership has moved rapidly toward Russia. And the Chinese side also reconnected with the Tatmadaw as a strategic partner. Beyond 2021, China, Russia and Myanmar Tatmadaw are trying to overcome the current crisis at the same time. India also has become like a partner. It also could be its crisis. If you look back at everything, the current politics, military and strategic partnership of the Tatmadaw have connected with countries along the border almost at the same time. The Tatmadaw's strategic partnership has moved toward till Russia. When some countries remarked about human rights of Myanmar at the Security Council a few days ago, Russia and China had no comment. We have found out these partnerships have become more solid lately, I think. Russia-Myanmar Tatmadaw relation has become more solid under Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing. Now everything is going toward multipolar" he said..

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and Russian Foreign Minister

Russian Foreign Minister and Russian officials often come to Myanmar after the Tatmadaw took power on the first of February 2021 and Sr-Gen went to Russia and met with Russian President Putin in September, 2022. It is also said that Myanmar is dependent on Russia, said U Htet Myet, a Myanmar politic analyst to CNI News.

"The accusation that the Tatmadaw is entirely dependent on Russia has been mentioned by US news agencies and many other ones. Whether it's true or not will depend on those who practice it. It is said that the second country that the Tatmadaw relies on is China. In terms of its business, China exercises restraint, which some people said in defense of China. Other people said based on hatred of China that China was totally supporting the Tatmadaw, so it was worsening. The stakeholders themselves will know whether it is true or not." said U Htet Myet.

Currently, Myanmar-Russia relations are closer and Myanmar is planning to build a small nuclear power plant with the help of Russia.