Myanmar bleeds while ASEAN vacillates
The upcoming ASEAN-Russia summit raises concerns about Myanmar's military leadership potentially being included despite ASEAN's previous exclusion. While some ASEAN members advocate for engagement with Myanmar, the situation remains dire with rising civilian casualties from military actions. The effectiveness of ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus is questioned as violence continues and the bloc appears divided on how to address the crisis.
- ▪Myanmar's military leadership may be invited to the ASEAN-Russia summit in Kazan, despite previous exclusions.
- ▪Military airstrikes on civilians have dramatically increased, with over 7,700 civilian deaths reported since the coup.
- ▪ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus, intended to stop violence and promote dialogue, has failed to yield significant results.
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The upcoming ASEAN-Russia summit may test whether ASEAN can keep Myanmar’s military leadership off the high-level regional stage it has so far denied them. Russia is preparing to host an ASEAN-Russia summit in Kazan from June 17 to 19 to mark 35 years of relations. The Kremlin says invitations to Southeast Asian leaders are being prepared. Myanmar’s junta-controlled foreign ministry recently confirmed that Foreign Minister Tin Maung Swe discussed summit preparations with Russia’s ambassador in Naypyitaw. Crucially, Myanmar currently serves as ASEAN’s country coordinator for dialogue relations with Russia. While there is no public confirmation yet that coup-maker Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has been formally invited, the risk is glaring.
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