The head of Russian diplomacy Sergei Lavrov visits Vietnam, one of his most faithful allies
Photo published by the press service of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, showing Sergei Lavrov during his visit to Minsk this Thursday, June 30, 2022. AFP - HANDOUT
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
The head of Russian diplomacy began a two-day visit on Tuesday, July 5, to Vietnamese soil, one of Russia's oldest allies, which Moscow takes care to cajole as Vladimir Putin faces a diplomatic barrage. since the outbreak of war in Ukraine.
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Russia and Vietnam have a long and close relationship, as old as the Soviet Union, which culminates this year with the tenth anniversary of their strategic partnership.
The Russians remain the main suppliers of the Vietnamese army and the two countries are engaged in multiple infrastructure projects which are fueling the increase in trade - +30% compared to last year - marked by the constancy of imports of 'energy.
Because Moscow provides almost all the oil and gas used by the Vietnamese.
Intangible support
Vladimir Putin can also count on the intangible support of the Vietnamese government in diplomatic matters.
Vietnam has, for example, still not condemned the invasion of Ukraine.
In April, he voted against a resolution to exclude Russia from the UN Human Rights Council.
And at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Hanoi rushed to approve the Sputnik V vaccine, developed by Russian laboratories.
Serguei Lavrov
therefore arrives on conquered ground and will take the opportunity to refine his strategy before the G20 summit scheduled for Bali in November.
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Sergei Lavrov
Vietnam
Russia
Diplomacy