(Reuters] – Myanmar’s shadow defence chief called on the international community to help arm its resistance forces that are fighting the ruling military. This request is similar to support given to Ukrainians who were resisting invading Russian troops.

Pro-democracy militias in Ukraine and Myanmar have been fighting for freedom since their founding, and many are willing to give up their lives. But, the soldiers taking down Myanmar’s military need more than international solidarity. Yee Mon is the defence minister of National Unity Government (NUG).

We are thankful for the international community’s moral support and stance for Myanmar. In handwritten comments, he stated that we will appreciate physical support like arms or funding.

“We will be able end the revolution quicker, minimising loss of life and property, with that support.”

Western allies are arming Ukrainian rebels against Russia’s invasion. Moscow describes this “special operation” by Moscow. Myanmar’s situation has been chaotic since the coup in early 2013 and more than 560,000 people are displaced due to fighting.

An alliance of anti-junta organizations, the NUG declared “people’s defense war” in rural areas last year, to stop military attempts to consolidate its power following months of brutal crackdowns on protestors. The NUG has been declared “terrorists” by the junta.

Militias tend to be light-armed and use rudimentary weapons and homemade explosives against the military. The United Nations has accused the army of using heavy weapons, air strikes on civilians.

The spokesperson of the junta didn’t respond to requests for comment. Yee Mon called the United States Embassy and European Union Delegation in Yangon, but they did not respond immediately to our requests.

He made these remarks just days after Zin Mar Aung, NUG’s foreign secretary, met U.S. Secretary of State Wendy Sherman in Washington and Saifuddin Abdullah from Malaysia at an international summit.