Myanmar's junta says Russia good for 'world peace,' supports Ukraine invasion

Myanmar coup leader Min Aung Hlaing visited Russia in June. - Reuters

YANGON, Feb 26 (dpa): Myanmar's military rulers have thrown their support behind Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, saying it was important for Russia "to consolidate its sovereignty."

Zaw Min Tun, a spokesperson for the junta, told the Voice of America (VOA) broadcaster in a special interview that Russia has also "shown its status as a powerful country for the power balance of world peace."

With that endorsement, Myanmar joins a small list of countries that have explicitly backed Russia's aggression in Ukraine, including Syria and Belarus.

Other countries, like China and India, have called for restraint and dialogue, but have not directly condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin's attack.

Myanmar coup leader Min Aung Hlaing visited Russia in June.

There are strong ties between Russia and Myanmar's armed forces.

Recently, UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews accused Russia and China of having supplied the Myanmar army with weapons of the kind used against civilians since the February 1, 2021, coup. - dpa