Russia prioritizes strengthening defense cooperation with Vietnam.

On the afternoon of December 10th, in Hanoi, General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defence, met with General Sergey Shoigu, Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, who was on a working visit to Vietnam.

Speaking at the meeting, General Phan Van Giang emphasized that the visit and working trip to Vietnam by General Sergey Shoigu and the Russian delegation was of great significance, aiming to concretize the major orientations of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia in the new cooperation phase, which were agreed upon by the leaders of the two countries in May 2025.

General Phan Van Giang welcomes General Sergey Shoigu.

PHOTO: NGUYEN HAI

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on the global and regional situation and issues of mutual interest. General Phan Van Giang affirmed that ASEAN is playing an increasingly important role in shaping and maintaining the regional security structure, promoting substantive cooperation among member states, as well as between ASEAN and its partners, including Russia.

Regarding the South China Sea issue, General Phan Van Giang stated that Vietnam is resolute and persistent in its principle of resolving disputes and disagreements through peaceful means, based on respect for the independence, sovereignty, and legitimate interests of nations, and adherence to international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)...

The Vietnamese Minister of National Defence expressed that bilateral defence relations have continued to be developed in the spirit of "trust, practicality, effectiveness, and comprehensiveness," deserving to be an important pillar in the overall traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia.

General Phan Van Giang suggested that in the coming period, the Ministries of Defense of the two countries continue to coordinate closely and implement effective cooperation in areas of mutual interest, such as training, exchange of experience, and scientific research within the framework of the Vietnam-Russia Tropical Center.

For his part, General Sergey Shoigu emphasized the traditional, sincere, and close friendship between Vietnam and Russia. He thanked the Vietnamese Ministry of Defense for sending a contingent of military personnel to participate in the parade at Red Square.

General Sergey Shoigu affirmed that Russia prioritizes strengthening its comprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam, particularly in the field of defense cooperation. Looking ahead, he hopes that the two sides will continue to coordinate closely and further promote cooperation in areas such as training, military cooperation, defense industry; exchange of experiences in areas of mutual interest; and cooperation within the framework of the Vietnam-Russia Tropical Center.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nga-uu-tien-tang-cuong-hop-tac-quoc-phong-voi-viet-nam-185251210185859386.htm