Vietnam 'Unwavering' in Russia Ties Amid Putin Talks on Energy, Security

Vietnamese President To Lam held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on September 9, agreeing to deepen bilateral relations. The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in the energy sector, particularly in oil and gas exploration and the construction of strategic oil reserves. Both sides also agreed to enhance collaboration in defense and security. At the outset of the meeting, President Lam stated his desire to exchange views on "strategic and urgent issues." He also acknowledged that Vietnam had faced reactions from some countries regarding its "good relations" with Russia. "However, Vietnam remains unwavering and unchangeable, as it clearly recognizes the essence of this issue," Lam asserted, emphasizing Vietnam's resolve against external pressures. President Putin, in turn, affirmed that Vietnam is a "priority partner" for Russia in the Asia-Pacific region. In the security domain, the two leaders confirmed their commitment to strengthening defense and military-technical cooperation, addressing non-traditional security challenges, combating transnational and high-tech crime, and managing emergency situations. While Russia has historically been Vietnam's largest arms supplier, Western sanctions following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine have impacted Russia's supply capabilities. Vietnam has been diversifying its defense procurement, though military-technical cooperation with Russia is expected to continue. In the energy sector, a framework agreement was signed between Russia's state-owned oil company Zarubezhneft and Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (Petrovietnam) for cooperation on building a strategic oil storage facility in Vietnam. This project could proceed alongside developments in areas of the South China Sea where Russia claims sovereignty, potentially bolstering Vietnam's claims to sovereignty and jurisdiction in these regions. President Lam also reiterated Vietnam's request for Russia to provide support in sourcing materials and images related to the Vietnamese revolution and President Ho Chi Minh for the construction of the Communist Party of Vietnam Museum, a proposal previously made to the Communist Party of the Russian Federation. Following the talks, President Putin indicated that Russia is processing visa exemptions for Vietnamese citizens "in the near future," though no specific timeline was provided. Both countries also confirmed cooperation for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held in Vietnam in 2027. On the evening of September 9, President Lam attended and received the Lev Tolstoy International Peace Prize at the Kremlin. This award is seen by some as a political tool used by Russia to strengthen ties with allied leaders. Vietnam, while maintaining its one-party system, prioritizes economic growth and skillfully navigates its international relations. Particularly in its complex relationship with China, maintaining ties with Russia embodies Vietnam's foreign policy of "independence and self-reliance" and serves as a crucial element in balancing its geopolitical positioning. The recent summit is viewed as part of this broader foreign policy strategy. Source: BBC Vietnamese