Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Government Office in Hanoi, Vietnam 20 June 2024. LUONG THAI LINH/Pool via REUTERS
Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the desire to establish a “reliable security architecture” in the Asia-Pacific region during his state visit to Vietnam on Thursday. This visit is perceived as a demonstration of defiance against the West. A day after signing a mutual defense agreement with North Korea, Putin was honored with a 21-gun salute at a military ceremony in Vietnam. He received warm embraces from two of the country’s Communist leaders and was lavishly praised by one of them, who credited Putin with contributing to “peace, stability, and development” globally.
Putin’s visit has been met with criticism from the United States and its allies, who consider him a pariah due to Russia’s actions in Ukraine. They have protested against providing him a platform to defend Russia’s war in Ukraine. During the visit, Russia and Vietnam signed agreements on various issues, including energy, highlighting Moscow’s strategic pivot to Asia following Western sanctions imposed due to the conflict in Ukraine. Putin reiterated Russia’s commitment to deepening its comprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam, which he stated remains a priority in Russia’s foreign policy.
According to Russia’s TASS news agency, Putin mentioned that both countries shared an interest in developing a “reliable security architecture” in the region, emphasizing the peaceful settlement of disputes without resorting to force or forming “closed military-political blocs.” At a concluding press conference, Putin accused NATO of creating security threats for Russia in Asia, as reported by TASS.
The 11 agreements signed in Hanoi, although significant, were not of the same magnitude as the mutual defense agreement with North Korea. Nevertheless, Putin’s reception in Vietnam was a public relations success, especially given his outstanding International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant over alleged war crimes in Ukraine, charges which he denies. Neither Russia nor Vietnam is a member of the ICC.
Carlyle Thayer, emeritus professor at the Australian Defence Force Academy, noted that Putin’s reception in Hanoi contrasts with Russia’s recent setbacks, such as the Ukraine conference in Switzerland and new European Union sanctions on Russia. These sanctions are the latest in a series imposed by the West since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which Moscow refers to as a “special military operation.”
Zachary Abuza, a professor at the U.S. National War College, pointed out that Vietnam, unlike North Korea, maintains friendly relations with the United States and its allies. He emphasized that Vietnam is an important actor in the global economy, unlike North Korea, which is often viewed as an isolated state.
The military ceremony for Putin, who was greeted by Vietnamese President To Lam and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, was of a caliber reserved for the highest heads of state, similar to the receptions for U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping during their visits to Vietnam last year. During the visit, the two presidents witnessed the signing of 11 agreements and memorandums of understanding, including deals on oil and gas, nuclear science, and education.
Vietnamese President Lam commended Putin for leading Russia through challenges and contributing to regional and global peace and stability. Abuza highlighted the shared Communist history between Vietnam and Russia, noting that many Vietnamese leaders were trained in the former Soviet Union.
The visit has drawn criticism from the European Union and the United States, both significant partners of Vietnam. The U.S. State Department announced that a top U.S. diplomat would visit Vietnam to reaffirm Washington’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and support for a strong, independent, resilient, and prosperous Vietnam. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen stated that the United States’ upgraded partnership with Vietnam does not require it to sever ties with Russia or China.
An EU delegation spokesperson in Vietnam acknowledged Hanoi’s right to develop its own foreign policy but argued that Russia’s actions in Ukraine demonstrate Moscow’s disregard for international law. Despite concerns from the U.S. and its allies, Hanoi may have correctly assessed that it will not face significant consequences. Murray Hiebert, a senior associate of the Southeast Asia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, suggested that the visit is unlikely to have a long-term impact on U.S.-Vietnam relations, noting Washington’s reliance on good relations with Vietnam to counterbalance its rivalry with China in the region.
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