Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the importance of expanding Russia’s strategic partnership with Vietnam during talks with Vietnamese President To Lam on the first day of his state visit to the Southeast Asian country.
Putin also invited President Lam to participate in next year’s commemorations in Moscow marking the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, as reported by Russian state news agency TASS on Thursday.
Putin arrived in Hanoi late Wednesday after a visit to North Korea and is expected to attend a state banquet on Thursday following meetings with Nguyen Phu Trong, the general secretary of Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party, and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Amid international isolation, Putin aims to strengthen support from Russia’s remaining allies. Analysts note that his visits to Vietnam and North Korea are significant both practically and symbolically.
“Putin’s trip to Vietnam will reinvigorate their comprehensive strategic partnership and shore up economic relations through trade and investment commitments by adopting a rouble-đồng currency exchange mechanism for goods and services payments.’’
Vietnam expert Carl Thayer the emeritus professor of politics at the University of New South Wales in Australia has said.
Another item on the agenda could be Russia’s war with Ukraine.
The Ukrainian ambassador in Hanoi, Oleksandr Haman, told dpa that he did not expect Vietnam to abandon its neutral stance in the conflict.
During his stay in Hanoi, Putin stays at The Sofitel Metropole, a French-owned hotel.
Before his arrival, a Russian-chartered jumbo jet shipped in limousines for Putin’s use throughout his visit.