Hanoi
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed several agreements with his Vietnamese counterpart To Lam during a state visit on Thursday, aiming to strengthen ties with Asia amidst international isolation due to the Ukraine conflict. The agreements focused on cooperation in education, science, technology, oil and gas exploration, and health. They also planned a roadmap for a nuclear science and technology center in Vietnam.
Putin emphasized the shared interest in developing a security framework in the Asia-Pacific Region based on peaceful dispute resolution. To Lam echoed this, expressing a desire for increased cooperation in defense and security to address non-traditional threats, alongside energy projects and investment expansion.
The visit follows Putin’s meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, where they pledged mutual aid in the event of war. In Vietnam, Putin met with key political figures, including Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Russia’s deep ties with Vietnam, established since 1950, are evident in the country’s Soviet-style infrastructure. Putin’s visit, framed as an effort to break international isolation, received criticism from the US Embassy in Vietnam, highlighting the delicate balance Vietnam must maintain in its foreign relations. Despite neutrality on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Vietnam continues to navigate its “bamboo diplomacy,” balancing relations with major global powers.
