CNI News

4 August 2022

If the recent visit of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had aimed not to promote economic cooperation but to enhance arm deals, peace would be more elusive in Myanmar, Writer U Htet Myet told the CNI.

The Russian foreign minister visited Myanmar on a day return trip on 3rd August and met with SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin.

U Htet Myet said that he would welcome Lavrov if he had visited Myanmar for economic cooperation and oil deals but it would be unacceptable if he had come to Myanmar to sell weapons during public security disasters amid the ongoing armed conflicts.

U Htet Myet told the CNI, “If they had come to Myanmar to offer assistance, we would have to thank them. However, it would be unacceptable if they had visited Myanmar to sell weapons and to perpetuate the armed conflicts. I have to say this because we want to restore peace and build a peaceful and prosperous country. So, it is necessary to restore peace out of integrity and goodwill and to take a correct democratic path.”

Writer Htet Myet

The Russian foreign minister held discussions with his Myanmar counterpart on promotion of bilateral relations, cooperation in economic and culture sectors and close coordination with the Eurasian Economic Union and the United Nations, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar.
However, Political Analyst Dr. Aung Myo told the CNI, “It was unlikely that the Russia foreign minister visited Myanmar for massive investment and arm deals would surely be discussed during the trip.

Dr. Aung Myo said, “Russia is the only source of high tech weapons for the SAC and we could have expected that they would surely discuss arm deals.”

After holding discussions with the SAC chairman and his Myanmar counterpart, the Russian foreign minister proceeded to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.