Myanmar's military council has backed Russia's invasion of Ukraine

Myanmar's military council has backed Russia's invasion of Ukraine

The majority of the world community disagreed. The world community has condemned Russia's military action and imposed a series of sanctions on Moscow.

In an interview with the Voice of America's Burmese division, General Zhao Min Tun, a spokesman for the Myanmar Military Council, gave reasons for Myanmar's military government's support for Russian President Vladimir Putin's move.

"First, Russia has worked to consolidate its sovereignty," he said. "I think that's the right thing to do. Second, we need to show the world that Russia is a superpower."

Coup leader Min Aung Hlaing visited Russia in June last year. There are also strong ties between the Burmese and Russian military. Russia is one of the few countries to support the Military Council. Myanmar's military council seized power in a coup on February 1, 2021, overthrowing the civilian government and detaining undisputed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other high-ranking officials.

Since then, UN and Burmese experts have repeatedly called on the military council to impose a ban on arms sales, but Russia has ignored those calls.

One year after the coup, the United States has announced further sanctions on individuals and entities linked to Myanmar's military rule.

Myanmar gained independence from Britain in 1947. The country was ruled by the armed forces from 1982-2011 and then a new government began to return to civilian rule.