Russian President Vladimir Putin and Vietnamese President To Lam signed a series of deals on Thursday during Putin’s state visit to Vietnam. The visit comes at a crucial time for Russia, as it seeks to strengthen its ties in Asia amid increasing international isolation due to its military actions in Ukraine.
The two leaders held talks in Hanoi, where they discussed a range of issues, including trade, defense cooperation, and regional security. Putin’s visit to Vietnam underscores the importance of the relationship between the two countries, which have a long history of cooperation dating back to the Soviet era.
One of the key agreements signed during Putin’s visit was a deal to expand bilateral trade and economic cooperation. The agreement aims to increase trade between Russia and Vietnam and promote investment in key sectors such as energy, agriculture, and technology. The two countries also agreed to work together to boost cooperation in the fields of science and technology, education, and culture.
In addition to economic cooperation, Putin and Lam also discussed defense ties between Russia and Vietnam. The two countries have a long-standing defense partnership, with Russia supplying arms and military equipment to Vietnam. During the talks, the two leaders discussed ways to enhance defense cooperation and strengthen security cooperation in the region.
The visit also provided an opportunity for Putin to reaffirm Russia’s commitment to supporting Vietnam’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Russia has been a strong supporter of Vietnam’s claims in the South China Sea, where the two countries have overlapping territorial disputes with China. Putin’s visit is seen as a sign of Russia’s continued support for Vietnam in the face of growing Chinese assertiveness in the region.
The visit also highlighted the growing strategic partnership between Russia and Vietnam. The two countries have deepened their ties in recent years, with regular high-level exchanges and cooperation in various fields. Russia views Vietnam as an important partner in Southeast Asia and a key player in the region’s security architecture.
Putin’s visit to Vietnam comes at a time when Russia is seeking to strengthen its presence in Asia as part of its broader strategy to diversify its foreign policy and reduce its reliance on the West. The visit is also seen as a way for Russia to counterbalance its growing isolation in the international community due to its actions in Ukraine.
Overall, Putin’s state visit to Vietnam was seen as a success, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to deepening their bilateral ties and expanding cooperation in various fields. The visit underscored the importance of the relationship between Russia and Vietnam and highlighted the strong strategic partnership between the two countries. Putin’s visit is expected to further strengthen the ties between Russia and Vietnam and enhance cooperation in a range of areas, including trade, defense, and regional security.
