Russia hit for arming Myanmar amid Rohingya crisis

WASHINGTON >> The United States criticized Russia on Wednesday for approving sales of fighter jets to Myanmar’s military despite its deadly operations against Rohingya Muslims, warning that Moscow’s actions could worsen the situation.

Russian defense officials used a visit to Myanmar this week to announce a deal to deliver six Su-30 fighter jets to the country’s military. The Russian officials said Myanmar is also interested in buying Russian navy ships and land weapons.

State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert called Russia’s move to provide the jets “a good example of the challenges we face with certain governments.” She said most of the world wants the Rohingya crisis resolved peacefully, and suggested Russia’s actions would instead fuel more suffering and instability.

“This would seem to be an occasion where Russia could show solidarity through humanitarian assistance rather than potentially aggravating the situation through weapons sales,” Nauert said.

The admonition comes amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Russia, including over Moscow’s military actions in Ukraine and elsewhere. On Tuesday, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Moscow was responsible for chemical weapons attacks in Syria for failing to rein in Syrian President Bashar Assad and his forces — an accusation that Russia firmly rejected.

The United States and many others refuse to sell weapons to Myanmar.