Russian President Vladimir Putin traveled to Vietnam after a brief visit to North Korea, signaling his sustained influence despite Western isolation. With Vietnam's increasing geopolitical importance, the visit aims to show that Putin is far from a pariah in the East, as per experts. The trip will encompass a two-day visit to the communist nation, according to the Kremlin.

The visit follows recent moves by Western countries to reinforce their support for Ukraine, including a $50 billion loan agreement during a Group of Seven summit. This trip also comes shortly after a peace summit regarding Ukraine in Switzerland.

Why Vietnam?

Unlike globally isolated North Korea, Vietnam is sought after by major global players. Its rapid economic growth and export strength, particularly in the garment industry, make it a valuable partner. Additionally, Vietnam plays a strategic role in balancing relationships with China through economic cooperation while countering perceived military threats.

For Putin, visiting Vietnam serves to highlight that Russia remains connected in Asia despite the ongoing Ukraine conflict. "Putin's visit to Vietnam highlights that Russia is not isolated in Asia," noted Prashanth Parameswaran, a fellow at the Wilson Center.

Agenda Highlights

On Thursday, Putin and Vietnamese leaders will discuss ways to deepen their strategic partnership. Russia was the first country to sign a strategic partnership with Vietnam in 2001. The agenda will also focus on regional and global matters, with potential for adopting a joint statement and signing several bilateral agreements, as reported by the Russian news agency TASS.

The Strength of Vietnam-Russia Relations

The relationship between the two countries dates back to the Soviet era, with Russia remaining a significant supplier of weapons to Vietnam. Soviet military support was crucial for Vietnam during the First and Second Indochina Wars against France and the US.

The ties extend beyond military connections, sharing a historical ideology against Western capitalism and imperialism. Many Vietnamese, including the current head of the Communist Party, studied in the Soviet Union, creating lasting cultural ties. Hanoi’s architecture also reflects Soviet influences.

Vietnam's Stance on the Ukraine Conflict

Since the start of the war in 2022, Vietnam has maintained a neutral position. "Vietnam has balanced its relations with Russia while emphasizing principles like territorial integrity," stated Parameswaran.

Vietnam has underscored these principles in global forums discussing the Ukraine war, often in veiled criticisms of Russia. Despite never condemning Moscow, Vietnam holds sovereignty as an inviolable principle due to its history of invasions by various powers. This principled stance led to Vietnam abstaining from several UN resolutions condemning Russia and voting against removing Russia from the UN Human Rights Council.

While Vietnam shares historical and cultural ties with Ukraine and has provided humanitarian aid, it did not attend the recent Ukraine peace summit. Analysts say this is part of Vietnam's "bamboo diplomacy," a strategy that focuses on maintaining relationships with multiple global powers without bending to any single influence.

US Reaction to Putin’s Vietnam Visit

The US, a significant trade partner of Vietnam, is not pleased with Putin's visit. A US embassy spokesperson in Hanoi expressed concerns, saying no country should provide Putin a platform to normalize his actions.

This rare trip outside Russia since the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin over alleged war crimes in Ukraine means that Vietnam, not being an ICC member, can host him without the obligation to arrest.

China’s Influence

As the Ukraine war continues, Russia's dependence on China deepens, which matters to Vietnam due to their disputes in the South China Sea. China claims rights to resources in certain Vietnamese territories also coveted by Russia.

Vietnam worries that China's influence over Russia could undermine Vietnamese interests, potentially leading to pressured withdrawal of Russian state-run companies from contested zones, according to Ian Storey, a fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.