Myanmar–Russia relations

{{Infobox bilateral relations|Burma–Soviet Union|Burma|Soviet Union|flagvariant1=1948}}

The USSR established diplomatic relations with Myanmar upon the latter's independence in 1948, which remain to the present day through Russia. In 2007, alongside China, Russia vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution condemning alleged human rights abuses and atrocities at the hands of the Myanmar government.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7011746.stm|title=Chinese dilemma over Burma|date=25 September 2007|work=BBC News|access-date=30 May 2008}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/12/AR2007011201115.html|title=Russia, China veto resolution criticizing Burma|date=13 January 2007|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=30 May 2008}}

In August 2022, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov described Myanmar as a "friendly and longstanding partner."{{cite news |title=Pariah Solidarity: Myanmar-Russia Relations Blossom Amid Western Sanctions |url=https://thediplomat.com/2022/08/pariah-solidarity-myanmar-russia-relations-blossom-amid-western-sanctions/ |work=The Diplomat |date=5 August 2022}}

On 7 September 2022, Myanmar's junta chief Min Aung Hlaing met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of an economic meeting in eastern Russia, the first time that the pair have met since the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état.{{cite news |title=Myanmar's Min Aung Hlaing meets Putin for first time since coup |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/9/7/myanmars-min-aung-hlaing-prepares-to-meet-putin |work=www.aljazeera.com |date=7 September 2022 |language=en}}

In July of that year, evidence was discovered that Myanmar has supplied 120 mm mortar rounds to Russia for the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{cite web | url=https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-junta-mortar-rounds-fired-by-russia-in-ukraine.html | title=Myanmar Junta Mortar Rounds Fired by Russia in Ukraine | date=28 July 2023 }}

On 11 August 2023, Myanmar Airways became set to launch direct flights to the Russian city of Novosibirsk. {{cite web | url=https://www.irrawaddy.com/business/myanmar-airways-set-to-launch-direct-flights-to-russian-nuclear-hub.html | title=Myanmar Airways Set to Launch Direct Flights to Russian Nuclear Hub | date=11 August 2023 }}

On 7 November 2023, Myanmar and Russia held their first ever joint naval exercise, which was carried out in the Andaman Sea.{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-myanmar-navy-andaman-sea-1d0f0c692a4583a0c449e6c8cc3b620b|title=Military-ruled Myanmar hosts joint naval exercise with Russia, its close ally and top arms supplier|date=7 November 2023|publisher=AP}}

On 23 February 2025, Russia and Myanmar signed a memorandum on investment in the Dawei special economic zone, including plans for a port, coal-fired power plant, and oil refinery. Russian Minister Maxim Reshetnikov and Myanmar's Kan Zaw signed the deal during a Russian delegation's visit. Reshetnikov noted oil refining remained the most complex element, with its feasibility still under review. Russia and Myanmar also discussed energy projects, including a gas pipeline to Yangon and a potential nuclear research reactor. {{Cite web |date=23 February 2025 |editor-last=Faulconbridge |editor-first=Guy |title=Russia signs memorandum to build port, oil refinery in Myanmar |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/russia-signs-memorandum-build-port-oil-refinery-myanmar-2025-02-23/ |access-date=1 March 2025 |website=Reuters}}

On March 3, 2025, Myanmar’s military leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, arrived in Russia for talks with President Vladimir Putin, accompanied by officials from the ruling military council. Russia is a key ally, providing military support, including fighter jets used against ethnic minority groups allied with pro-democracy forces. Moscow also shields Myanmar’s government in global forums. The two nations have held joint military drills, signed a nuclear power pact, and are expanding economic cooperation, including their labor agreements.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-03 |title=Myanmar's head of military government travels to ally Russia for talks with Putin |url=https://apnews.com/article/min-aung-hlaing-putin-junta-87f429b58749fd9ebb6366db69057a51 |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=AP News |language=en}}

In June 2016, the two countries signed a defence cooperation agreement.{{cite web|url=http://www.defenseworld.net/news/16368/Russia__Myanmar_Sign_Military_Cooperation_Agreement#.WZqBN_yCq5|title=Russia, Myanmar Sign Military Cooperation Agreement|website=www.defenseworld.net|access-date=22 April 2018|archive-date=21 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021111429/http://www.defenseworld.net/news/16368/Russia__Myanmar_Sign_Military_Cooperation_Agreement#.WZqBN_yCq5|url-status=dead}} Min Aung Hlaing and Sergei Shoigu announced their intention to expand military cooperation in a 2018 meeting.{{cite news |publisher=TASS |quote=Russia and Myanmar implement a large-scale plan for the bilateral military cooperation, Russia’ Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Saturday. |url=http://tass.com/defense/986024 |title=Russian defense minister points to Russia-Myanmar developing military cooperation |date=January 20, 2018}}

{{Main|Myanmar and weapons of mass destruction}}

In 2007, Russia and Myanmar did a controversial nuclear research center deal. According to the press release, "The centre will comprise a 10MW light-water reactor working on 20%-enriched uranium-235, an activation analysis laboratory, a medical isotope production laboratory, silicon doping system, nuclear waste treatment and burial facilities".{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6658713.stm|title=Russia and Burma in nuclear deal|work=BBC News|date=15 May 2007}}

• Foreign relations of Myanmar
• Foreign relations of Russia

{{reflist}}

{{commons category|Relations of Myanmar and Russia}}

• {{in lang|ru}} [http://www.mid.ru/ns-rasia.nsf/strana?OpenView&Start=1&Count=30&Expand=25#25 Documents on the Myanmar–Russia relationship at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs]
• {{in lang|en|my|ru}} [http://www.rusembmyanmar.org/ Embassy of Russia in Yangon]

{{Foreign relations of Myanmar}}

{{Foreign relations of Russia|Asia}}

{{Portal bar|Politics|Russia}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Myanmar-Russia relations}}

Category:Bilateral relations of Russia

Russia