Russia and Vietnam strengthen ties during Putin's visit

Russia and Vietnam have strengthened ties during Vladimir Putin's state visit to Hanoi, signaling Russia's alliances in the region. Putin's visit followed a defense pact with North Korea, where he discussed sending high precision weapons and criticized NATO's security threat in Asia. The US criticized the visit, warning against normalizing Russia's violations of international law. Both countries aim to enhance cooperation in defense, security, and addressing non-traditional security challenges. Russia has a historical friendship with Vietnam, dating back to the Soviet Union's support in past wars. Trade between Vietnam and Russia is relatively low compared to China and the US. The US expressed concerns over Russia-North Korea ties, while Ukraine accused Pyongyang of aiding Russia's actions in Ukraine. Putin praised Vietnam for its stance on the Ukraine war and highlighted progress in payments, energy, and trade. Vietnam maintains a neutral foreign policy and has not condemned Russia's actions in Ukraine. Putin's visit to Vietnam comes after his trip to North Korea, where Kim Jong Un expressed support for Russia's actions in Ukraine. The two countries share similar views on the Asia-Pacific region. Vietnam's position on the South China Sea differs from China's, with Russian energy projects in the region. Putin emphasized energy cooperation, including LNG projects and a nuclear science center in Vietnam. Bilateral trade payments in roubles and Vietnamese dong have increased, with a focus on reliable financial transactions. Despite growing trade, Vietnam's main trading partners remain the US and China.