HANOI – Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Vietnam early on June 20 for talks with the country’s Communist leaders on the final stop of his two-nation tour of Asia after concluding a defence pact with North Korea.
Mr Putin’s aircraft touched down at capital Hanoi’s airport, where he was met on a red carpet by Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha and top party diplomat Le Hoai Trung.
In an opinion piece timed for his visit, Mr Putin applauded the South-east Asian Communist-ruled country for supporting “a pragmatic way to solve the crisis” in Ukraine.
Vietnam, which officially pursues a neutral foreign policy it calls “bamboo diplomacy” in its relations with world powers, has abstained from condemning Russia’s attack on Ukraine, a stance that Western countries view as too close to the Kremlin.
As well as praising Vietnam for its “balanced” stance on the Ukraine war, Mr Putin listed progress on payments, energy and trade between the countries in the article published in Vietnam’s Communist Party newspaper Nhan Dan.
Although both North Korea and Russia face international isolation, Vietnam has built careful alliances with the United States and the European Union.
“President Putin’s visit to North Korea and Vietnam is to demonstrate that Western attempts to isolate Russia are not working, and that Russia has partners in Asia,” said Emeritus Professor Carl Thayer, an expert on Vietnam security at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra.
The Putin Vietnam visit also reflects Russia’s broader strategy to strengthen its presence in Southeast Asia. Vietnam, being a key partner, plays a crucial role in this vision. By enhancing cooperation with Vietnam, Russia aims to boost its influence in the region.
Consequently, this visit is a testament to the enduring friendship and strategic partnership between Russia and Vietnam.
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