Putin hails 'productive' talks with Vietnam, announces energy cooperation
Putin and To Lam held talks in Moscow, signing agreements and discussing energy cooperation, including gas development and fuel reserves.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Vietnamese President To Lam met in Moscow on Wednesday for talks that Putin described as "very productive and substantive." The two leaders oversaw the signing of a "substantial package" of bilateral agreements, according to Putin.
Speaking after the meeting, Putin highlighted energy cooperation as a key area of collaboration. He noted that Russian energy giant Gazprom is developing gas fields on Vietnam's continental shelf and began supplying liquefied natural gas to the country last year. Putin also proposed that Vietnam consider jointly establishing strategic fuel reserves and expressed Russian interest in arranging the transit of energy resources across Vietnamese territory to neighbouring states.
To Lam, for his part, said the two countries' determination to "reposition and elevate" their comprehensive strategic partnership holds special significance amid a rapidly evolving global and regional landscape. He added that the partnership serves the interests of both nations and contributes to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and worldwide.
Following the talks, To Lam was awarded the Leo Tolstoy International Peace Prize. Putin said the award was high recognition of Lam's "significant personal contribution" to deepening friendship and mutual understanding between Russia and Vietnam, praising him as a "principled and consistent proponent" of the strategic partnership.