Russian Relations with Myanmar

Why does the US need Myanmar? - Boris Volkhonsky RISS
The Voice of Russia - 8 February 2012
Boris Volkhonsky, senior research fellow at the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies, comments that Myanmar has remained a Chinese stronghold. For China, it was not only a matter of foreign policy, but also a very practical economic matter. The road and port infrastructure being built in Myanmar with Chinese assistance would provide China with a shorter, cheaper and safer route of transportation of goods, including oil from the Persian Gulf, than the route via the Malaccan Strait. Obviously, the situation when China dominates such a crucial area which gives strategic control over the Western part of the Indian Ocean is not something the U.S. would endure. Hence, the increased diplomatic activity by the high-ranking U.S. officials.

It still remains unclear how far the reforms in Myanmar will go and whether they are just an attempt to slightly improve the image. But as the U.S. foreign policy-makers have shown much too often, when strategy is at stake, such minor issues as human rights, do not matter too much.

The West tries to steal Burma from China - Sergei Balmasov, Pravda 16 February 2012

Russia's Gazprom moving into Myanmar
Spero News - 2 September 2011

A new Russian Metro - for Myanmar
Moscow News - 4 August 2011
A 50-kilometer metro line, the contract reportedly won by a Russian firm, will be built deep beneath Nay Pyi Taw, the new capital of Myanmar. "Voice of Russia" radio cited an unnamed project architect as saying that the metro venture is already at the survey and design stage. The line will be three times longer than Moscow’s circle line.

Note by Network Myanmar: Coordination of meetings in Nay Pyi Taw is complicated by the considerable distances between government offices. The present system of shuttle-bus services is inadequate for efficient liaison. There would also be an important prestige element in such a project.

Deutsche Presse-Agentur - Minister for Railways Aung Min says metro project shelved.

Russia, Myanmar and Nuclear Technologies
Center for Energy and Security Studies (Moscow) - 24 June 2011
Anton Khlopkov (Director) and Dmitry Konukhov (Research Associate) note that: "The development of nuclear technologies in Myanmar is increasingly attracting international attention.That attention is tinged with worry: might the generals who rule the Southeast Asian country be trying to acquire nuclear weapons? And could cooperation between Russia and Myanmar in the nuclear area pave the way for a military nuclear program later on? This article does not aim to provide definitive answers, leaving it to the readers to form their own conclusions. Its purpose is to collate the available information about Myanmar's nuclear efforts and the role played in them by Russia."

Derek Tonkin comments: This is an informative article about Russian cooperation with Myanmar in the training of students from Myanmar at the expense of the Myanmar Government. It is however a little surprising that the authors seem unaware that Myanmar publicly announced on 11 June 2010 that "the plan [to purchase a nuclear research reactor from Russia] was suspended without implementation due to inadequacy of resources and the government’s concern for misunderstanding it m[a]y cause among international community." [The original New Light of Myanmar report in its issue dated 12 June 2010 is at this link.] This was confirmed recently when Senator John McCain met Lower House Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann. See Page 8 of the linked New Light of Myanmar report .

There are one or two minor errors of fact at the bottom of Page 6 of the article about the date of the recent elections (7 November 2010, not February 2011), the separation of powers between the Legislature and the Executive, and the responsibilities of the Armed Forces under the Constitution.

Russia is satisfied with the transition to civilian rule in Myanmar
Malaysian News Agency (Moscow) - 25 June 2011
Russia has expressed its satisfaction with political reforms in Myanmar and the transition to civilian rule. The Russian Foreign Ministry made these remarks followed meetings and consultations between Deputy Foreign Minister Alexei Borodavkin and Deputy Foreign Minister Maung Myint, Vice-President Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, Chairman of the Pyithu Hluttaw Thura Swe Mann, as well as with Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin held in Nay Pyi Taw on June 22.

"There was held a useful exchange of views on the development of Russia-Myanmar relations. The possibilities of intensifying the political dialogue as well as ways to better use the great potential of trade and economic and investment cooperation in the interests of both sides were discussed," the Russian Ministry said. The Russian side expressed satisfaction with the programme for political reforms in Myanmar and the transition to civilian rule under the new Constitution and noted the importance of Myanmar's continued onward movement towards democratisation and socio-economic development.

• ASEAN-Russia senior officials' meeting held in Nay Pyi Taw - Bernama 24 June 2011
• Myanmar parliamentary delegation in Russia - DPA 26 June 2011
• Russia, Myanmar and Nuclear Technologies: CENESS 24 June 2011

Myanmar to receive new batch of MiG-29s from March
Flight Global - 2 March 2011
Ordered in November 2009, the aircraft will be delivered in three configurations, comprising 10 MiG-29B and six MiG-29SE single-seat fighters and four MiG-29UB twin-seat operational trainers.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Statement on the Myanmar Elections
MFA - 9 November 2010

Myanmar buys 50 Russian combat and 12 transport helicopters
The Irrawaddy - 8 September 2010
The Myanmar Air Force (MAF) has bought 50 Mi-24 helicopters and 12 Mi-2 armoured transport helicopters from Russia, according to a source in the MAF. The purchase of the M-24s marks the first time the MAF has procured combat-equipped helicopters. “50 Mi-24 fighter helicopters and a dozen Mi-2s were procured from Russia, and are now being assembled in Flying Training Base in Meikthila,” the source said. “After assembling the helicopters they will be divided among four squadrons at Magwe Air Base and Ela Air Base.” Myanmar currently has 15 air bases. Ela Air Base, not far from the capital Naypyitaw, is the newest and is frequently used by senior military generals and government officials for domestic and international flights.

Russia, EU: More study needed on Myanmar's alleged nuclear activity

Deutsche Presse-Agentur - 23 July 2010

"We don't have any firm information, and on issues like this, you need to rely on experts' conclusions,' Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday of rumors that Myanmar, or Burma, is developing nuclear weapons. Lavrov was speaking on the sidelines of the Association of South-East Asian Nations' Regional Forum (ARF) in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi. The European Commission has taken note of a June documentary by Burmese journalists alleging that Myanmar is developing nuclear weapons, said Seamus Gillespie, a European Commission official responsible for South-East Asian affairs. "We're looking into that, and when the matter is clarified, we'll make up our minds," Gillespie said Friday.

Defector from the "Nuclear Battalion" has scared the US - in Russian

Myanmar tries to build nuclear weapons with N Korean help - in English

(The article as a single page in English)

Pravda - 28 July 2010

In the middle section of this article, Sergei Balmasov of 'Pravda' interviews Vladimir Khrustaliov (Khrustalev), an expert on nuclear technology at the Admiral Nevelskoy Maritime State University in Vladivostok, who dismisses the allegations against Myanmar of a nuclear weapons programme. The allegations are seen as part of a "banal information war against Myanmar" ["standartnaya" - banal(?), standard, run-of-the-mill].

Note by Network Myanmar: The headline of the English version, as the first sentence of the article makes clear, is not a Russian view, but reflects "suspicions voiced by US experts." Vladimir Khrustaliov (Khrustalev) would also appear to be an expert on the DPRK (North Korea) and contributes to "Security Index" published by the Russian Center for Policy Studies.

Russia to sell two Antonov 148 aircraft to Myanmar

Flight Global/ITAR-TASS - 5 March 2010

Myanmar is to buy two Antonov 148 passenger planes from the United Aircraft Corporation of Russia. Delivery is expected in 2011. The AN-148 is a short-haul plane designed to transport 7-90 passengers. Its maximum flying range is 5,000 kilometres at a cruising speed of 820-870 kilometres per hour. The estimated value of AN-148 is around US $20 million. The aircraft are to be used for passenger and VIP traffic. Myanmar is also reportedly in discussion to buy two Antonov 140 aircraft, a smaller version.

Comment in Pravda of 24 December 2009 on the sale of 20 MiG-29 fighters

Sergey Balmasov - Pravda correspondent

Review of the MiG-29: "Death Watch for MiG"

Strategy Page - 24 December 2009

Russia to deliver another 20 MiG-29 fighters to Myanmar

AFP (Moscow)/Kommersant - 23 December 2009

Russia has signed a contract to deliver 20 MiG-29 fighter planes to military-run Myanmar, the daily Kommersant reported Wednesday. The contract was signed a few weeks ago and came to nearly € 400 million (US$ 570 million), according to a source close to Russian arms sales company Rosoboronexport quoted by the paper. A source close to Rosoboronexport said the Russian offer beat one by China which offered Myanmar "ultra-modern" J-10 and FC-1 fighters "on very advantageous conditions". The daily said Russia had already delivered 12 MiG-29s to Myanmar in 2001 [10 fighters and 2 trainers].