Putin’s visit is ‘momentous occasion’ for Vietnam

The Vietnamese people's “delight and enthusiasm” over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s June 19-20 visit “underscored the strong political, diplomatic, economic, cultural and historical ties between the two nations,” Professor Anna Malindog-Uy, vice president of the Manila-based think tank Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute, tells Sputnik.

The visit “can be considered highly successful and significant,” something that “marked a momentous occasion for Vietnam, reflecting its strategic importance and the mutual respect shared between the two countries,” Malindog-Uy notes.

“The visit signals a more strengthened bilateral relations between the two countries. It also indicated potential for enhanced cooperation in various sectors such energy, gas, and finance, among others,” according to the professor.

In this vein, Hanoi’s decision to brush aside Western criticism regarding its cooperation with Moscow can be attributed to several strategic and historical factors, the expert says, referring to the fact that Vietnam “has a long-standing relationship with Russia,” dating back to the Soviet era when the USSR supported the Southeast Asian nation during the Vietnam War.

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Do as I say, not as I do: Why Canada gets a pass from the West for foreign agents law while Georgia is punished

The United States and the European Union refraining from criticizing the foreign agents registry law recently adopted in Canada, while simultaneously blasting a similar legislation adopted by Georgia, is essentially a “problem of double standards,” Dr. Marco Marsili, who holds research positions in major civil and military institutions in Portugal, the UK and Italy, told Sputnik.

“It depends on the point of view of the proponents, the lawmakers, and of those who are their allies and assess the bill as just and fair, according to their geopolitical perspective,” Dr. Marsili explains. “Basically, is a Manichaean approach, according to which the world is divided in the good ones [nations] and the bad ones - figure out which are which according to a Western vision.”

Georgia merely seeks to protect itself from foreign influence exerted through the funding from abroad of local NGOs and “any other public outreach activity like media outlets,” basically following the example of the West, he notes.

The Western powers, however, insist that “Georgian politics must be influenced through Western financial support to local agents” but at the same time “reject any Russian funding.”

“That is really bizarre - it's not just double-standards, but also non-sensiczl,” Dr. Marsili remarks.

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Romanian president abandons NATO leadership race, securing spot for Dutch leader

Klaus Iohannis, the president of Romania, has decided to step back from the competition for the position of the upcoming NATO secretary general, the Guardian reports.

It raises the chances of Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who has been seen as the top contender for the role, the outlet says.

On Tuesday, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated that Budapest is ready to support Rutte for the post.

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US decided to prioritize the supply of NASAMS and Patriot systems to Ukraine, ignoring allies' interests — White House

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❗️ Putin — there is no novelty in the agreement between Russia and North Korea

"We changed almost nothing since the previous agreement," the Russian leader said.

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🎥🎥 Vladimir Putin holds a press conference following his state visit to Vietnam

Watch the livestream here or on Sputnik's website

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❗️Putin — there is no need to use soldiers from North Korea in the Ukrainian conflict

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⚡️ Russia is thinking about possible changes in its nuclear doctrine — Putin

🔹 Russia may amend its nuclear doctrine amid discussions on the possibility of lowering the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons, the president stressed.

🔹 Russia's strategic forces are in full combat readiness, he added.

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❗️Putin — Where any negotiations on Ukraine could exactly take place does not matter, Russia's proposals are on the table

🔹 The West's reaction to the peace initiatives was expected, but sensible politicians will think about them if they want to end the conflict;

🔹 The negotiations could take place tomorrow, but Russia will base them on the current situation, the president stressed;

🔹 The Kiev regime is interested in continued fire because it doesn't want to hold elections;

🔹 The West will pin all unpopular decisions on Zelensky and replace him in the first half of next year;

🔹 The most important task for Russia is to repel attacks with long-range weapons on its territory;

🔹 Kiev will try to present the new counterattack as a strategic success.

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❗️Putin — the enemy will be destroyed

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❗️Russia does not need opportunity to launch a preemptive nuclear strike yet, the Russian president says

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❗️Russia reserves the right to supply weapons to other regions, possibly to North Korea - Putin

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❗️ South Korea has nothing to worry about, Russia will assist N Korea only in case of aggression — Putin

South Korea's supply of lethal weapons to the conflict zone in Ukraine would be a mistake, the Russian leader stressed.

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📹 Putin about Russia's nuclear doctrine changes

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❗️If Ukraine links holding talks with Russia with the withdrawal of Russian troops, this will never happen — Putin

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Putin compared international sanctions against North Korea to the blockade of Leningrad

The president emphasized that the DPRK can be treated any way it wants, but it is inhumane to impose sanctions for political reasons.

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❗️ For Russia, a strategic defeat would mean the end of its statehood, which means there is nothing to be afraid of - it is necessary to go to the end, Putin said

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Putin's key statements from the press conference following his trip to North Korea and Vietnam

🔸 Russia is thinking about possible changes in its nuclear doctrine - this is due to the work of the enemy to lower the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons.

🔸 The agreement with North Korea provides for mutual assistance in case of military aggression. South Korea has nothing to fear in this regard if it does not plan to attack Pyongyang.

🔸 There is no novelty in the agreement with the DPRK, the parties have changed almost nothing compared to the agreement concluded in the 60s, which expired.

🔸 Sanctions against North Korea are inhumane and restrictions cannot be imposed for political reasons.

🔸 For Russia, a strategic defeat will mean the termination of its statehood, which means there is no need to be afraid, we must go to the end.

🔸 The West will pin all unpopular decisions on Zelensky and remove him in the first half of 2025.

🔸 If Ukraine links negotiations with Moscow with the withdrawal of Russian troops, then this will never happen.

🔸 Russia does not ask anyone for help in conducting its special operation.

🔸 The West’s reaction to peace initiatives was expected, but sensible politicians will think about the initiatives if they want to end the conflict.

🔸 The supply of weapons by South Korea to Ukraine will be a mistake, Russia may take responsive measures that are unlikely to please the leadership of South Korea.

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