Russia's Leader, Putin, Persists in Seeking Collaborators in Vietnam
Upon touching down in Vietnam, President Putin of Russia plans to strengthen strategic ties with the Asian nation. Ukraine anticipates Vietnam will maintain neutrality during Russia's siege on Ukraine.
Upon setting foot in Hanoi, Putin engaged in discussions with Vietnam's President To Lam, as reported by the state Russian news agency TASS. Putin emphasized strengthening Russia's strategic partnership with Vietnam as a top priority. Vietnam is part of the Asian States Union ASEAN, with whom Russia holds ongoing dialogues.
Putin extended an invitation to President To Lam to visit Moscow next year for the 80th anniversary of the triumph over Nazi Germany. While in Vietnam, a long-standing partner country, Putin is expected to connect with Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. It is anticipated that Putin will strive to enhance trade relations and coerce Vietnam to purchase weapons from Russia, according to Vietnam specialist Carl Thayer, who was previously a professor at the University of New South Wales in Australia.
While Putin desires to demonstrate his lack of international isolation amidst the attack on Ukraine, Ukrainian Ambassador to Hanoi Olexander Haman expressed no expectations for Vietnam to change its neutral stance on the conflict and side with Russia. Neutrality is a cornerstone of Vietnam's security policy, with no intention of taking sides. During Putin's initial stop on his Asian tour in North Korea, the primary focus was explicit support in the Ukraine conflict.
As per Western knowledge, Russia procures weapons and ammunition from the isolated communist nation of North Korea. The extent of technical support Russia provides to North Korea, however, remains unclear. This is met with suspicion by Western countries, as well as China, due to North Korea's ongoing development of nuclear weapons. Putin and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un sealed a strategic partnership agreement.
