Myanmar Junta Chief Defies Arrest Warrant with Moscow Visit

The Irrawaddy

Myanmar’s military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, is travelling to Moscow to attend Russia’s Victory Day celebrations on 9 May—despite an international arrest warrant issued by an Argentinian court over his alleged role in the Rohingya genocide.

Invited by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the junta boss is expected to use the visit to deepen ties with Moscow across economic and security sectors. Leaders from China, India, and Brazil are also scheduled to attend the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany.

This marks Min Aung Hlaing’s fifth visit to Russia since seizing power in the 2021 coup, and his second this year alone. Despite warming ties with Moscow, his relationship with Beijing remains notably cooler. He has never met Chinese President Xi Jinping, and was excluded from last year’s Belt and Road Initiative summit in Beijing.

Speculation is rife that he may seek an informal meeting with Xi while in Moscow, under the guise of expressing thanks for China’s post-earthquake aid and recent diplomatic support. China has played a key role in brokering ceasefires with ethnic armed groups, including the MNDAA in Shan State—allowing the junta to retake strategic territory without conflict.

The visit comes amid continued violence inside Myanmar. Although the regime recently extended a ceasefire to aid post-earthquake recovery, the civilian National Unity Government reports the military has carried out 282 airstrikes since 28 March, killing at least 276 people, including 31 children.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has meanwhile warned that he cannot guarantee the safety of foreign leaders visiting Moscow, as Kyiv continues its drone attacks on the Russian capital.

Observers say Min Aung Hlaing is using international events to project legitimacy while evading legal accountability. Despite the growing toll of violence at home, the general appears undeterred—pursuing diplomacy abroad, even as his regime faces growing isolation and condemnation.

-2025-05-07