Putin Calls For 'New Security Architecture' For Asia On Visit To Vietnam
Vietnamese President To Lam shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hanoi on June 20.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on June 20 that it is time for a "new security architecture" for Asia as he wrapped up a short visit to Vietnam.
Putin signed 11 public agreements and memorandums of understanding with Vietnamese President To Lam while in Hanoi. Lam said he and Putin made other deals that are not publicly available.
The agreements centered on energy, education, science, and technology -- sectors the United States and other countries have targeted when sanctioning Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
The two countries also agreed to work on a roadmap for a nuclear science and technology center in Vietnam.
Russia's TASS news agency quoted Putin as saying, "We are firmly committed to deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam, which remains among the priorities of Russia’s foreign policy."
Putin Visits North Korea To Boost Cooperation Amid Ukraine War
1/10North Korean leader Kim Jong Un waits for the arrival of Russian President Vladimir Putin at the airport in Pyongyang on June 18.
The Russian president's two-day visit to the secretive one-party state is being closely watched for signs of a new strategic alliance as Moscow seeks to bolster its supply of munitions and ballistic missiles for use on the Ukrainian battlefield.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his first trip to Pyongyang in 24 years, was greeted by portraits of himself lining the streets, along with the Russian flag. Putin is looking to boost cooperation with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and secure more arms as Russia battles Ukraine.
2/10An official photo released by the North Korean Central New Agency (KCNA) shows Putin (left) walking with North Korea's Kim upon his arrival at the airport in Pyongyang.
State television showed Kim and Putin shaking hands and repeatedly hugging on the Russian leader's predawn arrival at Pyongyang airport.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his first trip to Pyongyang in 24 years, was greeted by portraits of himself lining the streets, along with the Russian flag. Putin is looking to boost cooperation with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and secure more arms as Russia battles Ukraine.
3/10A joint limousine motorcade snakes through the capital decorated with Russian flags and pictures of Putin.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his first trip to Pyongyang in 24 years, was greeted by portraits of himself lining the streets, along with the Russian flag. Putin is looking to boost cooperation with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and secure more arms as Russia battles Ukraine.
4/10Putin (right) expressed gratitude for Pyongyang's "unwavering support" at the start of a summit as the two fiercely anti-Western leaders sought ways to boost cooperation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his first trip to Pyongyang in 24 years, was greeted by portraits of himself lining the streets, along with the Russian flag. Putin is looking to boost cooperation with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and secure more arms as Russia battles Ukraine.
5/10North Koreans attend a welcoming ceremony for Putin in Pyongyang on June 19.
"We highly appreciate your consistent and unwavering support for Russian policy, including in the Ukrainian direction," Putin told Kim at the start of their talks, according to Russian media.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his first trip to Pyongyang in 24 years, was greeted by portraits of himself lining the streets, along with the Russian flag. Putin is looking to boost cooperation with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and secure more arms as Russia battles Ukraine.
6/10Putin and Kim walk along the red carpet as children greet them waving Russian flags.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his first trip to Pyongyang in 24 years, was greeted by portraits of himself lining the streets, along with the Russian flag. Putin is looking to boost cooperation with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and secure more arms as Russia battles Ukraine.
7/10North Korean military personnel stand at attention as the two leaders participate in the welcoming ceremony.
Kim called the North Korea-Russia relationship a "fiery friendship."
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his first trip to Pyongyang in 24 years, was greeted by portraits of himself lining the streets, along with the Russian flag. Putin is looking to boost cooperation with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and secure more arms as Russia battles Ukraine.
8/10Kim has pledged his country's "full support and solidarity to the Russian government, army, and people in carrying out the special military operation in Ukraine to protect sovereignty, security interests, and territorial integrity."
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his first trip to Pyongyang in 24 years, was greeted by portraits of himself lining the streets, along with the Russian flag. Putin is looking to boost cooperation with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and secure more arms as Russia battles Ukraine.
9/10The United States and its allies have accused North Korea of supplying Russia with arms, including ballistic missiles, to use in Ukraine in violation of UN Security Council resolutions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his first trip to Pyongyang in 24 years, was greeted by portraits of himself lining the streets, along with the Russian flag. Putin is looking to boost cooperation with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and secure more arms as Russia battles Ukraine.
10/10Putin and Kim attend a meeting in Pyongyang.
Russian foreign policy adviser Yury Ushakov said that signings during the visit could include an agreement on a comprehensive strategic partnership.
North Korea is one of just a few countries in the world that has openly supported Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and recognizes Moscow's illegal annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his first trip to Pyongyang in 24 years, was greeted by portraits of himself lining the streets, along with the Russian flag. Putin is looking to boost cooperation with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and secure more arms as Russia battles Ukraine.
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Lam said Putin has contributed to global "peace, stability, and development." Vietnam has remained neutral on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and this marked Putin's first trip to Vietnam since 2017.
In Vietnam, Putin also met with Communist Party General-Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, according to the official Vietnam News Agency.
The United States has been working to strengthen and build partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region, including with Vietnam.
Prior to Putin's visit, a U.S. Embassy spokesperson in Vietnam said "no country should give Putin a platform to promote his war of aggression and otherwise allow him to normalize his atrocities."
The U.S. State Department announced on June 20 it will send Assistant Secretary of State and former ambassador to Vietnam Daniel Kritenbrink to Hanoi this week.
Putin kicked off his four-day trip to Asia in North Korea on June 17.
Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a robust defense pact in Pyongyang. The pact was described as a comprehensive strategic partnership and ensures mutual assistance in the event of an attack by a third country.
Speaking in Hanoi on June 20, Putin also said he "does not rule out" sending weapons to North Korea.
The White House said the North Korea-Russia pact is unsurprising and a sign of Russia's desperation.
South Korea responded with a statement that Seoul would consider sending weapons to Ukraine, which Putin said would be a "big mistake."
Putin also said Russia is thinking about changing its nuclear doctrine, which states Russia may use nuclear weapons in response to a nuclear attack or in the event of a conventional attack that poses an existential threat to the state.
But he said there was no need for Russia to carry out a preemptive nuclear strike.
Pentagon spokesman Air Force Major-General Pat Ryder, responding to Putin's comments on its nuclear doctrine, said, "It's certainly irresponsible for countries that maintain these capabilities to make those types of comments."
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