The Kremlin announced Monday, March 29, to disapprove of the bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Burma, worrying about the "
growing
" number of civilian deaths.
Read also: Burma: resistance is organized against the repression of the army
"
We have long-standing and fairly constructive relations with Burma, which does not mean that we approve of the tragic events taking place in the country,
" said spokesman for the Russian presidency, Dmitry Peskov.
He also denounced "
the increase in the number of victims within the civilian population
" after new demonstrations put down in blood this weekend.
These statements come as Russia is suspected of maintaining close relations with the Burmese authorities, despite the repression.
The head of the junta, General Min Aung Hlaing, thus received on Saturday March 27 the Russian Deputy Minister of Defense Alexandre Fomine during an open-air dinner with other dignitaries.
Fomin also attended a military parade on the same day, which was attended by Russian-made vehicles and devices, including tanks and fighter jets.
In a statement from the Russian army published on Friday March 26, Alexandre Fomine estimated that Burma is "
a reliable ally and a strategic partner
" in Southeast Asia and said he wished to "
deepen
" military cooperation between the two countries.
On Monday March 29, Burmese demonstrators were again in the streets at dawn despite the weekend's repression, strongly condemned by the international community.
The violence of Saturday March 27 left at least 107 dead, including several children, the bloodiest day since the military coup two months ago, an undoubtedly provisional toll.
The Burmese army overthrew civilian head of government Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1 and has since bluntly suppressed protests calling for the return of democracy and the release of former leaders.