The hosting of Russian President Vladimir Putin by Vietnam shortly after the Ukraine peace summit has drawn criticism from the U.S. government. The U.S. embassy in Hanoi issued a statement to Reuters expressing concern over giving Putin a platform to promote his aggressive actions and normalize his atrocities.
The visit, confirmed by both governments, will see Putin meeting with senior Vietnamese leaders to discuss agreements in various sectors such as trade, investment, technology, and education. Talks are also expected to cover sensitive issues like arms, energy, and currency transactions.
This state visit, Putin’s fifth, comes amidst global focus on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Despite U.S. efforts to isolate Russia, Vietnam maintains strong ties with the country, including as a key arms supplier. Vietnam’s decision to host Putin is in line with its foreign policy doctrine of engaging with multiple significant powers for mutual benefit.
Vietnam’s neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, refusal to condemn Putin’s actions, and non-attendance at the recent peace summit indicate its commitment to not taking sides between major powers. The visit highlights Vietnam’s equal diplomatic stance towards the U.S., China, and Russia, despite historic improvements in U.S.-Vietnam relations.