Vietnam is ready to host isolated Russian President Vladimir Putin late Wednesday as the ally of Western countries aiming to shift political balance globally.
Vietnam which has maintained close diplomatic ties with the United States and the EU has been condemned by the United States for playing host to Putin.
President Putin who’s currently in North Korea will arrive in Hanoi late Wednesday night as the Russian leader seeks to extend bilateral relations beyond the Western blocs who have imposed sanctions on him for his military operation in Ukraine.
President Putin will make Vietnam his final stop as he’s currently on a foreign trip outside Russia as he looks to bypass the Western blockade on his country.
Since his reelection for the fifth time, President Putin has only visited China and North Korea, with Vietnam being the third country he will visit as Russia begins a geopolitical shift of influence.
Ahead of Putin’s trip to Vietnam, Hanoi has been gearing up for a full state visit for the Russian President who’s visiting the country again since 2017.
During his visit, the Russian leader is expected to announce agreements in sectors including trade, investment, technology, and education.
Vietnam has maintained balanced diplomatic relations between the superpowers after hosting President Biden, President Xi Jinping, and President Putin on the list currently.