Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a series of deals with his Vietnamese counterpart Tô Lâm during a state visit.
The background: The two men signed agreements on Thursday to further cooperation on education, science and technology, oil and gas exploration and health.
They also agreed to work on a road map for a nuclear science and technology centre in Vietnam.
Putin arrived in the country from North Korea, on Wednesday, enhancing relations between Moscow and Pyongyang.
The key quote: “Russia is signalling that it is not isolated in Asia despite the Ukraine war, and Vietnam is reinforcing a key traditional relationship even as it also diversifies ties with newer partners.” — Prashanth Parameswaran, a fellow with the Wilson Center’s Asia Program.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (centre) poses for a group photograph before departing from Noi Bai International Airport. Source: SIPA USA / Григоров Гавриил / Gavriil Grigorov
What else to know: Earlier this week, the United States Embassy in Vietnam criticised the Russian president’s visit, saying no country should be providing a platform for him to promote his war against Ukraine.
What happens now: Vietnam has maintained a neutral stance in Russia’s war against Ukraine, but these agreements are set to put that neutrality into question.