Prof. Dr. Vladimir Kolotov, from the Saint Petersburg State University, said the Vietnam – Russia comprehensive strategic partnership is an inevitable result of long-term and effective exchanges and cooperation between the two countries, starting in the 1920s when Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh arrived in Leningrad city (Soviet Union), now Saint Petersburg, for the first time.
When comparing with the strictest standards in the world diplomatic practice, mutual trust between Vietnam and Russia has still been at the highest level, he said, adding that the two nations have not had profound differences in their approaches to dealing with major global issues. In case of arising problems, they conducted objective analyses and gradually removed barriers to move forward. In the world diplomatic practices, it is the best solution to addressing such matters, according to the scholar.
Kolotov also highlighted achievements in bilateral military technology and energy cooperation over the past two decades, notably the establishment of the Vietnam – Russia Tropical Centre in 1988 and the Ho Chi Minh Institute in Saint Petersburg in 2010.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, high-level meetings between Vietnam and Russia have still been maintained regularly. They are also ready to help each other when necessary, evidenced by Vietnam’s donation of masks and protective suits to Russia to help it overcome the first pandemic wave. Not long after Sputnik V vaccine was registered in Russia, Vietnam was chosen to build the first Sputnik V vaccine production factory in Southeast Asia, he said.
Sharing the same view, Chairman of the Council of Experts of the Eurasian Research Fund Grigory Trofimchuk said Vietnam has proved itself as one of the main pillars in the fight against COVID-19 in Asia. With the gradual reopening of tourist sites to foreigners, he and other Russian people expect to return to Vietnam soon.
According to the expert, Russian leaders affirmed many times that Vietnam is one of the important countries in Asia and Southeast Asia in particular. He expressed his belief that the bilateral long-standing friendship will contribute to dealing with important political matters in the region, including the East Sea issue.
Russian experts shared the view that President Phuc's visit will mark an important milestone in bilateral relations, affording Russian people a chance to understand more about Vietnam today.
