NAYPYITAW, Myanmar — Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko arrived in Myanmar on a goodwill visit Friday, marking only the second foreign leadership visit since the country came under military rule in 2021, according to state media reports.

The visit comes just a month before Myanmar’s national election, widely criticized by international observers as neither free nor fair. Analysts say Lukashenko’s presence could be perceived as political support for the military government’s election process, which has been condemned by several opposition groups and rights organizations.

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Background on Belarus-Myanmar Relations

Since Myanmar’s military takeover, Belarus has emerged as a key supporter and arms supplier to the junta, alongside China and Russia. President Lukashenko’s visit follows earlier trips by Myanmar’s military leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who visited Belarus in March and June 2025. Both nations are widely characterized as authoritarian regimes, and their bilateral cooperation includes defense, technology, and political support.

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Details of Lukashenko’s Visit

Upon arrival Thursday night at Naypyitaw’s military airport, Lukashenko was greeted with full state honors, including the presence of Myanmar’s Prime Minister Nyo Saw, Cabinet members, and cultural performers, as reported by the Global New Light of Myanmar.

During the visit, Lukashenko is scheduled to meet with Min Aung Hlaing to discuss strengthening friendship and cooperation in various sectors. The two countries are expected to sign agreements and memorandums of understanding covering military, technological, and economic collaboration.

During Min Aung Hlaing’s earlier visit to Belarus, Lukashenko pledged support for Myanmar’s military-organized election and promised to send observers to monitor the polls, drawing criticism from human rights groups.

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Controversy and Criticism

The upcoming Myanmar election has been denounced as a sham process designed to legitimize the military’s continued rule. Opposition groups, including armed resistance forces, have vowed to disrupt the polls.

Rights advocacy group Justice For Myanmar has highlighted Belarus’s role in arming and training Myanmar’s military. Deliveries from Belarus reportedly include:

• Myanmar Air Defense Operational Command system
• Radar technology
• Ground-based missile systems

These transfers are viewed as bolstering the military’s operational capacity and domestic arms industry. Critics argue that Lukashenko’s visit normalizes the military government’s international standing despite ongoing human rights violations.

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Regional Context

The only other foreign leader to visit Myanmar since 2021 was Cambodia’s former Prime Minister Hun Sen, who came in his capacity as ASEAN chair in 2022. Lukashenko’s visit underscores Belarus’s growing geopolitical engagement in Southeast Asia, particularly with regimes isolated from Western countries.