The United States and Vietnam discussed ways to develop their strategic partnership. Before that, Russian President Vladimir Putin paid a visit to Vietnam, Bloomberg reports.
Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink met with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son on June 21. The diplomat’s trip to Vietnam came after Washington criticized Putin’s visit to the country.
The US reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Vietnam. Kritenbrink also confirmed that the United States welcomes and appreciates Vietnam’s increasingly important role in multilateral and regional forums.
The newspaper noted that the Vietnamese minister said that the United States has always been a strategically important partner and added that the country is ready to work together to promote a comprehensive strategic partnership.
During a separate briefing, Kritenbrink said that the trust between the two countries has never been as strong and deep as it is now, Dan Tri portal reported, citing the American diplomat.
Earlier, the United States criticized Vietnam’s decision to give Putin a red-carpet reception after his visit to North Korea, where Kim Jong Un expressed his “full support” Russia in its war against Ukraine.
The US and Vietnam in September upgraded ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, Vietnam’s highest diplomatic relationship level.
To recap, on the night of June 20, Russian leader Vladimir Putin arrived in Vietnam. This is his first visit to the country since 2017.
