Putin arrives in Vietnam after signing defence pact with North Korea, irks US

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Vietnam early on Thursday (June 20), marking the final stop of his two-nation Asian tour. After signing a defence pact with North Korea, Putin is in Vietnam to hold talks with the nation's communist leaders.

The visit has irked Vietnam's top trade partner, the United States. In a statement released this week, a spokesperson for the US embassy in Hanoi said, "No country should give Putin a platform to promote his war of aggression and otherwise allow him to normalise his atrocities."

While North Korea and Russia face international isolation, Vietnam maintains careful alliances with the United States and the European Union.

Vietnam, Bamboo Diplomacy and Russia's Asia partners

Putin at Hanoi's airport was greeted with a red carpet welcome by Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha and top party diplomat Le Hoai Trung.

Ahead of the visit, in a timed opinion piece published in Vietnam's Communist Party newspaper Nhan Dan, Putin praised Vietnam for its "pragmatic way to solve the crisis" in Ukraine.

Vietnam, which practices neutral "bamboo diplomacy," has refrained from condemning Russia's attack on Ukraine. This has drawn Western criticism.

He also highlighted the progress in payments, energy, and trade between Russia and Vietnam.

Putin in Vietnam

This visit marks Putin's third nation stop since his fifth term inauguration in May — after China and North Korea.

Vietnam, as per the report, has prepared a full state welcome for Putin, his first visit since 2017 and fifth overall.

The Russian President is scheduled to meet with Communist Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong, state President To Lam, and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. His itinerary includes wreath-laying ceremonies, including one at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

Putin is also expected to announce trade, investment, technology, and education agreements, although these details may change, according to the Reuters report citing two officials.

Historically, Russia has been Vietnam's major military supplier, so any potential arms deals will be closely monitored.

Vietnam and Russia share historically close ties and Communist roots, with many Vietnamese cadres having studied in the former Soviet Union during the Cold War, including the current Party head Trong.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Defence newspaper, Quan Doi Nhan Dan, in an article noted, "President Vladimir Putin is a person who has made many contributions to Vietnam-Russia relations. He always has good feelings and concern for Vietnam and values ​​relationships with Vietnam's senior leaders."

(With inputs from agencies)