Vietnamese cooperation with Russia will have limits

Significance

The trip was part of a wider Russian strategy to circumvent Western sanctions by strengthening political, economic and military ties with Asian countries. Vietnam is an old friend of Russia and wants to increase economic engagement, but its leadership is unwilling to undermine relations with the West by supporting Moscow’s war against Ukraine.

Impacts

• Vietnam will maintain its neutral position on the Russia-Ukraine war and reject Moscow’s requests for munitions and spare parts.
• Hanoi will try to reduce its dependence on Russia’s defence industry by purchasing arms from other countries.
• Vietnam will probably apply for membership of the BRICS group.