Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Hanoi early Thursday as part of his diplomatic tour through Asia, aiming to bolster ties with Vietnam, a longstanding partner. His visit follows the conclusion of a defense pact with North Korea, underscoring Russia’s efforts to strengthen regional alliances amid international isolation.
Upon landing at Hanoi’s airport, Putin received a red carpet welcome from Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha and top party diplomat Le Hoai Trung. His itinerary includes meetings with Vietnam’s Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, new President To Lam, and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
In an opinion piece published ahead of his visit, Putin praised Vietnam’s “balanced” stance on the Ukraine crisis and highlighted progress in bilateral relations, particularly in payments, energy, and trade. Vietnam’s policy of “bamboo diplomacy,” which emphasizes neutrality in its international relations, has allowed it to maintain pragmatic ties with global powers despite Western scrutiny over its stance on Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
Experts suggest that Putin’s visits to North Korea and Vietnam are strategic moves to counter Western efforts to isolate Russia. Carl Thayer, an expert on Vietnam security, noted that these visits underscore Russia’s assertion that it has partners in Asia despite facing international sanctions and scrutiny.
Vietnam and Russia share historical ties dating back to the Cold War era, with Vietnam historically being a major recipient of Russian military aid. Putin’s visit, his first since 2017 and fifth overall, includes ceremonial activities such as wreath-laying at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, symbolizing the close ties between the two countries rooted in shared Communist backgrounds.
While the United States, Vietnam’s key partner, has expressed opposition to Putin’s visit, citing concerns over Russia’s actions in Ukraine, Vietnam continues to navigate its foreign policy independently, maintaining robust relationships with both Western countries and Russia.
During his stay in Vietnam, Putin is expected to announce agreements spanning trade, investment, technology, and education, underscoring ongoing efforts to deepen bilateral cooperation across various sectors.
Putin’s diplomatic engagements in Asia are seen as part of Russia’s broader strategy to assert its geopolitical influence and economic partnerships amid global tensions and sanctions stemming from its military actions in Ukraine.
(Inputs from agency)
