A junta official said Myanmar, the latest developing nation to do so amid a global energy crisis, plans to import Russian gasoline and fuel oil to address supply problems and rising prices.
Though both Myanmar and Russia continue to face several sanctions from Western nations due to military coups that deposed elected governments last year and the Russia Ukraine war, which Moscow calls as a "special military operation", the two nations in Southeast Asia have kept cordial relations.
Russia is looking for new energy consumers in the area since its top export market, Europe will impose a phased oil embargo on Russian oil later this year, per CNN.
"We have received permission to import petrol from Russia," military spokesperson Zaw Min Tun said during a news conference on Wednesday, adding that it was favored for its "quality and low cost."Fuel oil shipments are due to start arriving in September, according to media.
When junta Min Aung Hlaing visited Russia last month, according to Zaw Min Tun, he talked about gas and oil. Fuel is presently imported into Myanmar via Singapore.
Myanmar would consider working with China and Russia to explore oil there according to the official, per Reuters.
According to a statement published in a state publication on Wednesday, the military has established a Russian Oil Purchasing Committee, led by a close associate of Min Aung Hlaing, to manage the procurement, importation, and transportation of petroleum at acceptable costs depending on Myanmar's needs.
Myanmar Faces Crisis
Myanmar has had severe power outages and high fuel prices in addition to political turbulence and civil unrest, forcing its military administration to import fuel oil for use in power plants.
Since the coup in February of last year, the price of gasoline has increased by around 350%, reaching 2,300-2,700 kyat (about $1) per liter.
According to media reports, several gas stations across the nation have closed in the last week due to shortages.
Russia is a significant source of arms for the military of Myanmar.
The Russia-Myanmar Bond
In a report released yesterday, the International Crisis Group (ICG) claimed that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the coup in Myanmar have compelled the two sides to work closely together.
Russia is one of the few nations that sent delegates to the Armed Forces Day parade in March 2021, which coincided with fatal crackdowns on anti-coup protesters. Russia has continued to export weapons to Myanmar since the junta's coup.
While Myanmar's ambassador to the UN, who has vowed to back the democratic resistance, has voted in favor of resolutions denouncing Moscow's aggression, the SAC has consistently shown strong support for Russia since it invaded Ukraine.
The Diplomat reported that a junta spokesperson claimed the invasion was justified for the sustainability of their country's sovereignty the day after it took place. Last month, SAC chairman and junta chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing visited Moscow, where he discussed increased defense cooperation and potential energy project collaboration with Russian officials.
Closer ties with Myanmar allow Russia to increase arms sales while undercutting Western efforts to form a worldwide alliance to oppose Russian adventurism in Ukraine. The ICG stated that Myanmar and Russia "are likely to forgo the potential long-term costs of their expanding partnership in favor of short-term benefits" due to their mutually besieged states."
