A meeting with the EU‘s leading official on Russian sanctions is being delayed by Vietnam’s foreign affairs government back of a potential visit to Hanoi by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In its interactions with major world powers, Vietnam has been working to maintain a balanced foreign policy. Russia’s attack on Ukraine, which Western nations view as to close to the Kremlin, has been abstained from its condemnation.
One diplomat with direct knowledge of the situation stated that Hanoi requested a pause in the conference because the special envoy for the execution of EU restrictions, David O’Sullivan, is traveling to Southeast Asia the following year.
One diplomat claimed that Vietnam had suggested July as a substitute meeting, and three more diplomats confirmed the visit’s suspension.
According to two officials and a source with knowledge of the conversation, the delay was being made in preparation for a potential explore by Putin to Vietnam. One resource said the Russian president’s visit may be” spoiled” by any deals with the EU minister.
The EU political committee in Hanoi issued a statement calling the delay of the gathering “disappointing” and claiming to be enquiring about a new date with Vietnamese authorities shortly after Reuters reported on the issue.
Later on Thursday, a spokesperson for Vietnam’s foreign government confirmed that Hanoi and the EU were discussing a meeting date.
Asked about Putin’s probable visit, she said data may be shared “at a suitable day”.
Russia’s official in Hanoi did not reply to a request for comment.
Inviting Putin
Despite the Hague-based International Criminal Court ( ICC ) issuing an arrest warrant for the Russian president in March 2023 over alleged war crimes in Ukraine, Vietnamese leaders have repeatedly invited Putin to Vietnam in recent months.
Vietnam is certainly a ICC part.
According to Asian condition media, Gennady Bezdetko, the country’s embassy to Vietnam, claimed that Putin had accepted the invitation and that a visit date may be chosen after his fifth-term as president’s inauguration on May 7. Puntin visited Vietnam for the last time in 2017.
Russia is Vietnam’s major weapon provider, and it is also a key player in the South China Sea’s gas reserves, which China claims are its own.
Russia has been subject to extensive punishment from the EU, which is a significant trading partner for Vietnam.
O’Sullivan’s career involves ensuring that nations do n’t aid Russia or other sanctioned nations in evading punitive Union sanctions, such as by providing dual-use products to Moscow that could be used for its Ukrainian war efforts.
No information exists that Vietnam has supported Russia in the context of the Kremlin’s” special military function” in Ukraine.
Some officials claim that it would be difficult to find any deal between Vietnam and Russia, especially if it involved cards or other smaller components.
