In early February 2026, Myanmar’s military government signed a five-year military cooperation agreement with Russia. For years, Russia has been one of the junta’s sources of weapons, jets, and drones, enabling the junta to continue waging war against the resistance forces. The new military alliance follows several less substantial agreements to further Myanmar-Russia collaboration on a range of initiatives, from nuclear energy to port-building. As the bilateral relationship enters a new phase of security cooperation, what does this mean for Myanmar’s relations with other major regional players, especially China? Will Myanmar’s junta build a deeper relationship with Moscow, or will the alignment continue to be largely symbolic?
Join us for a deep dive into Myanmar’s engagement with Russia, featuring foreign relations expert Wai Yan Phyo Naing, PhD.
Wai Yan Phyo Naing, Visiting Scholar under the Taiwan Fellowship Program, Institute of Modern History, Academia Sinica
Wai Yan Phyo Naing, PhD, is a specialist researcher in Myanmar Studies. His expertise encompasses Myanmar’s relations with Russia, China, and Thailand, as well as the experiences of Myanmar migrants in Thailand.
Pamela Kennedy, Fellow and Deputy Director, China Program (Moderator)