In a significant diplomatic development, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko arrived in Myanmar’s capital Naypyitaw on Thursday, marking only the second visit by a foreign head of state since the country’s military seized power in February 2021. The arrival, extensively covered by Myanmar’s state media, featured ceremonial welcomes with full state honors presided over by Prime Minister Nyo Saw and cabinet members.
The timing of Lukashenko’s goodwill mission carries substantial political weight, occurring merely one month before Myanmar’s scheduled election—a process widely criticized by international observers as neither free nor fair. The visit is perceived by human rights advocates as providing implicit validation to the military government’s electoral proceedings.
Belarus has emerged as a crucial ally to Myanmar’s military regime alongside China and Russia, establishing itself among the limited nations maintaining diplomatic engagement with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing’s administration. The Myanmar military leader previously visited Belarus twice in 2023—in March and June—strengthening bilateral ties between the two governments, both of which face widespread international condemnation for authoritarian practices.
The strategic partnership between these nations extends beyond diplomatic support to encompass substantial military cooperation. According to Justice For Myanmar, a prominent rights advocacy organization, Belarus has supplied Myanmar’s military with advanced weapons systems, technical training, and equipment that enhances the army’s operational capabilities and domestic arms production infrastructure. Documented transfers include comprehensive air defense command systems, sophisticated radar technology, and ground-based missile platforms.
This visit occurs against the backdrop of severe Western sanctions imposed on Myanmar’s military government following its overthrow of Aung San Suu Kyi’s democratically elected administration and subsequent human rights violations. The only previous comparable diplomatic engagement came from Cambodia’s then-Prime Minister Hun Sen in 2022 during his ASEAN leadership tenure.
During scheduled meetings with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the leaders are expected to formalize additional agreements and memorandums of understanding across multiple sectors, further cementing their strategic alignment. Lukashenko had previously committed during Min Aung Hlaing’s March visit to provide election observers for the upcoming polls, a move criticized by opposition groups as legitimizing what they describe as a sham election designed to perpetuate military control.