Putin in Vietnam after he concluded a historical visit to North Korea

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday payed a state visit to Vietnam, which Moscow has supplied arms for decades, after signing a defense pact with North Korea that worries Western countries.

The Russian president thanked Hanoi for its balanced approach to Ukraine in an article published at the Vietnamese ruling Communist Party newspaper.

He wrote that Russia and Vietnam have the same reading of the situation in the Asia-Pacific region.

Putin arrived in Hanoi on Wednesday night from Pyongyang, where he was warmly received by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, saying he was his country’s best friend.

“The two countries united against US hegemony signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement that provides for mutual assistance in the event of aggression and the possibility of strengthening military-technical cooperation,” Putin stressed.

The United States and its allies fear the continued rapprochement could lead to supplies of new North Korean munitions and missiles to Russia for use in the war in Ukraine.

On his fifth visit to Vietnam in Southeast Asia, Putin will meet new President To Lam and Communist Party general secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Vietnam’s most influential figure.

The streets were decorated with Russian flags and security reinforcements were deployed in preparation for receiving the Russian president, whose country has a long history dating back to the Soviet era.

Nguyen Phu Trong, said, “We love Russia and I adore the Russians because they are very kind and have been supporting us for many years”.

Moscow sent weapons to its communist allies during the Vietnam War and for decades helped train many Vietnamese Communist Party cadres, including Nguyen Phu Trong.

Moscow continues to sell Vietnam a large part of its weapons and military hardware in an atmosphere of tension in the South China Sea, where Hanoi is concerned about Beijing’s expansionist ambitions.

Putin’s visit also has an economic part, with increased cooperation projects in energy, technology, education and tourism.

The Russian president will also take part in a blossom ceremony at the tomb of the father of independence, Ho Chi Minh, and at a state dinner at the Opera House.

Putin is scheduled to leave the country later in the evening.