Russian President, Putin, advocates for enhanced ties with Vietnam during his stay in Hanoi.
For ol' Putin, this marks his fifth trip to Vietnam as the chief honcho. Vietnam's been a pal of Russia since the Soviet days. In a piece for the local newspaper "Nhan Dan," known for its allegiance to the Communist Party, Putin expressed appreciation for Vietnam's "fair stance" on the Ukraine crisis. Vietnam held back in UN ballots judging Russia's aggression towards Ukraine.
Putin got a military spectacle at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi upon arrival. After chats with Lam, Putin was set to meet with high-ranking Vietnamese politicians such as Nguyen Phu Trong, the Communist Party of Vietnam's General Secretary.
Putin and Lam chatted about building "solid and trustworthy security arrangements" in the Asian-Pacific region based on principles that forgo violence and stress peacemaking. Lam said both sides were keen to intensify cooperation in defense and security, aiming to tackle non-conventional threats, promote peace, and security worldwide according to international law.
Both leaders signed a dozen collaboration deals, covering subjects from education to civil atomic projects.
Russian delegates shared that economic, energy, and educational topics would be the key points of discussion between Putin and the Vietnamese beaucracy. Trade between the two nations was $3.5 billion in 2022 - a drop in the bucket compared to Vietnam's trade with China ($175 billion) and the US ($123 billion).
Moscow used to be Vietnam's top weapon supplier, furnishing over 80% of its imports from 1995 to 2023. However, sales dipped during the Ukraine showdown and pressing sanctions against Russia.
The Southeast Asian nation serves as a manufacturing hub and aims to keep amicable relationships with all parties while staying free from debt. Most importantly, Hanoi seeks to steer clear of getting dragged into China-US rivalry - a time when both superpowers are stepping up their game in the area.
Before touching down in Vietnam, Putin vacationed in North Korea, where he received military salutes, an enthusiastic crowd, and waving kids. On his visit on Wednesday, the Russian boss and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inked an accord, promising "mutual aid" if struck by hostilities from a third party. Kim also offered his "unwavering support" for Putin in the Ukraine spat.
The global community voiced criticism and worry over the camaraderie displayed between the two countries. A State Department spokesperson said no country should offer Putin a platform to escalate his war against Ukraine. Japan voiced "serious uneasiness" over the military bond between Russia and North Korea, where Putin mentioned the possibility of "military-technical collaboration," which hasn't been ruled out.
Official military accords between North Korea and Russia would breach UN resolutions banning North Korea's atomic and missile programs, which Russia, as a permanent member, had also backed.
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- Putin expressed gratitude to Vietnam for its "fair stance" on the Ukraine crisis in an article published in the local newspaper "Nhan Dan," which is known for its affiliation with the Communist Party.
- During Putin's stay in Hanoi, he emphasized the need for strengthening Russia-Vietnam relationships, marking his fifth trip to Vietnam as the Russian president.
- Vietnam, being a long-time ally of Russia, abstained from voting against Russia in UN ballots concerning its actions towards Ukraine.
- Putin was welcomed with a military spectacle at the Presidential Palace upon his arrival in Hanoi, and he was scheduled to meet with high-ranking Vietnamese officials such as Nguyen Phu Trong.
- Lam, the Vietnamese prime minister, and Putin discussed enhancing security arrangements in the Asian-Pacific region, emphasizing non-violence and peacemaking principles.
- After their meeting, Lam and Putin signed a series of agreements covering various sectors from education to civil atomic projects, aiming to foster cooperation between the two countries.
- In a previous visit, Russia was Vietnam's primary weapons supplier, accounting for over 80% of its imports from 1995 to 2023, but sales dropped amidst tensions over Ukraine and sanctions against Russia.
- Before visiting Vietnam, Putin spent time in North Korea, where he and Kim Jong Un signed an agreement promising mutual aid in case of external aggression and offered support for each other in the Ukraine conflict.
