Min Aung Hlaing seeks renewed ties with US, West in TIME interview
DMG Newsroom
24 September 2026, Yangon
Myanmar President and former military chief Min Aung Hlaing has called for renewed cooperation with the United States and urged Washington to reconsider sanctions against him, as his administration seeks to rebuild relations with Western countries after years of diplomatic isolation.
Min Aung Hlaing made the remarks in an exclusive interview with TIME magazine published on September 23. TIME Editor at Large Charlie Campbell interviewed him at the Presidential Office in Naypyidaw on August 28.
TIME described it as Min Aung Hlaing’s first interview with a Western media outlet since he seized power in the February 2021 military coup.
“It would be ideal if the U.S. could cooperate with us in fostering the peace, stability, and development essential for our people to successfully realize a fully democratic state,” Min Aung Hlaing told TIME.
He also called on Washington to reconsider sanctions imposed on him, saying: “I urge the U.S. government to review [sanctions] objectively.”
TIME reported that Min Aung Hlaing and his administration are seeking to improve relations with the international community as Myanmar remains embroiled in armed conflict and the military has lost control of significant territory to ethnic armed organisations and other resistance forces.
The diplomatic push comes as Min Aung Hlaing has expanded engagement with regional countries. He has made official visits to several countries, including neighbouring Thailand and India, while maintaining close relations with China and Russia.
His government has also sought closer relations with Washington amid changes in US foreign policy under President Donald Trump. TIME reported that Roger Stone, a longtime Trump ally, is being paid US$50,000 a month to help “rebuild” relations with Washington.
Min Aung Hlaing also addressed the continued detention of former State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. He told TIME that he had been “extremely lenient” toward her and said a possible amnesty “depends on her,” while suggesting that reconsideration could be possible under certain circumstances.
On the Rohingya (Muslim) issue, Min Aung Hlaing said implementation of an earlier bilateral repatriation agreement would depend on resolving international legal challenges against Myanmar. He again denied allegations that the military committed atrocities during its 2017 operations in northern Arakan State.
More than 700,000 Rohingya (Muslim) fled to Bangladesh following the 2017 military operations, while international legal proceedings have subsequently targeted Min Aung Hlaing over alleged crimes committed during the crackdown.
The TIME interview comes as the political and military landscape in Arakan has changed dramatically. The United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) now controls most of Arakan State, while the Myanmar military retains key positions including Sittwe, Kyaukphyu and Manaung.
The changing territorial situation raises questions over how any future Rohingya (Muslim) repatriation arrangement between Myanmar and Bangladesh could be implemented in areas no longer controlled by Naypyidaw.
Arakan has also assumed greater regional strategic importance because of its Bay of Bengal coastline, China-backed infrastructure and economic interests in Kyaukphyu, and its proximity to Bangladesh and India.
Min Aung Hlaing told TIME that Myanmar would pursue its own model of democracy, arguing that democratic systems differ among countries.
“There are various forms of democracy,” he said. “There is American democracy, there is European democracy. I will ensure that Myanmar achieves a democratic system that truly aligns with our own culture, customs, and traditions.”
The interview comes more than five years after the 2021 military takeover triggered widespread resistance and a nationwide armed conflict that continues to reshape Myanmar’s political and territorial landscape.
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