For over a year now, the Myanmar post-coup crisis has ranked high in the international news rankings, with the United Nations regularly raising the issue for discussion and votes.

Then suddenly Russian President Vladimir Putin’s tanks rolled over the border into Ukraine.

Today, Myanmar has to compete with 24/7 coverage of the Ukraine crisis, and interlinked global issues, including fuel price hikes, supply chain problems, and even debate about what is referred to as the climate crisis – all seeking the attention of readers and viewers.

It’s harder for the Spring Revolution to get airtime on the international stage.

Let’s be straight. While the West continues to shoot themselves in the foot as a result of what could be considered to be ill-thought-out sanctions and actions against Russia – justified as they may seem – the world’s geo-political axis is shifting East.

There are clearly reasons why many of the world’s leaders would be upset with the actions of Russian leader Putin – who has only been partly publicly forthcoming in his real reasons for the “military operation” in Ukraine.

But the Ukraine crisis has prompted governments to “take sides”, with China, India and several countries in South East Asia effectively siding with Russia, moves that further complicate the status of Myanmar and its generals, the latter voicing support for Moscow.

Putin’s actions have prompted a partial breakup of the international order, at a time when China continues to rise – despite the problems posed by Beijing’s over-zealous Cultural Revolution-like Zero- Covid policy. At the same time, India continues to “play both sides” in interacting with the West and maintaining relations with Moscow, aware that the future lies in the hands of Asia and the growing eastern alliance.

Western leaders are playing politics with Ukraine failing to heed the fears that they are heading for serious economic, financial and supply chain problems. And what all this means for those who champion freedom and democracy in Myanmar is it is harder to maintain world attention on their country’s woes
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The Ukraine crisis appears to be bad news for Myanmar’s freedom fighters and a reminder – if a reminder is needed – that in many ways they have to fight the good fight on their own.