Lukashenko Planning Rare Visit to Junta-Ruled Myanmar

Lukashenko Plans Visit to Myanmar Under Military Rule

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is preparing for an upcoming visit to Myanmar, marking his first trip to the Southeast Asian nation. It will also be the first official visit by a European leader since the 2021 military coup that placed Myanmar under junta control.

Strengthening Ties Under Sanctions

The visit points to Belarus’s ongoing efforts to build relations with countries isolated by the West. Both Belarus and Myanmar have faced international sanctions — Belarus for its alignment with Russia and Myanmar for human rights abuses following the coup.

Lukashenko’s administration has deepened economic and defense cooperation with other sanctioned states, including Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The potential discussions with Myanmar’s leadership are expected to focus on trade, technology, and agricultural exchanges.

International Context

Western governments have condemned Myanmar’s military regime for detaining democratic leaders and violently suppressing protests. Belarus, already under scrutiny for internal political repression, appears intent on expanding its network among similarly isolated regimes.

“Belarus continues to pursue independent diplomacy, engaging states based on mutual interests rather than external pressure,” Lukashenko said earlier this year.

His trip signals a symbolic challenge to Western efforts to isolate authoritarian governments, showcasing Minsk’s geopolitical alignment beyond Europe.

Author’s Summary: Lukashenko’s planned trip to junta-ruled Myanmar highlights Belarus’s strategy to strengthen alliances with fellow pariah states despite Western sanctions.

more

Bloomberg.com Bloomberg.com — 2025-11-26

More News