Russia considers Vietnam to be a leading partner in the Asia-Pacific region, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said at a meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. 

The Russian official made the statement during talks with PM Chinh in Kazan City, situated in Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan, on Wednesday after Chinh’s arrival for the expanded BRICS Summit at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin.

Russian Minister of Economic Development Maksim Reshetnikov and Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov also attended the talks.

Both sides conferred on the positive results of bilateral cooperation, particularly in the energy, oil, and gas sectors.

These efforts have significantly boosted socio-economic development in both countries and further strengthened their comprehensive strategic partnership.

Deputy PM Novak affirmed that President Putin and other Russian leaders attach great importance to the comprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam and regard the Southeast Asian country as a leading partner in the Asia-Pacific region.

He expressed gratitude to PM Chinh for his strong leadership in promoting the Vietnam-Russia relationship and for attending the expanded BRICS Summit, scheduled for Thursday.

This visit marks PM Chinh's first trip to Russia since taking office and also the first time Vietnam has participated in this annual summit at the chief-of-government level.

The Vietnamese government chief highlighted the development of political and diplomatic ties between the two nations, particularly following President Putin’s state visit to Vietnam in June 2024.

Chinh said that a series of exchanges and meetings between high-ranking leaders from both countries over the past few years have fortified a reliable political foundation for comprehensive cooperation.

He shared Vietnam’s respect and support for Russia’s role as the current BRICS chair, emphasizing that Hanoi considers Moscow a top-priority partner in its foreign policy.

He shared his pleasure in collaborating with the Russian government to enhance bilateral cooperation across all areas, especially in their mutual strengths, benefiting both nations.

In light of the global move toward green energy to combat climate change, Chinh encouraged the Russian government to explore new cooperation opportunities with Vietnam while advancing existing green energy agreements.

Chinh assured Novak that the Vietnamese government is open and supportive of Russian companies, especially those looking to expand operations in Vietnam's energy, oil, and gas sectors.

During the meeting, Chinh invited Novak, Reshetnikov, and Alikhanov to visit Vietnam.

The Vietnamese leader also requested Novak to extend the same invitation to Russian PM Mikhail Mishustin.

Also on Wednesday, PM Chinh attended a meeting with Russian Minister of Energy Sergey Tsivilev which focused on expanding and strengthening cooperation in energy, oil, and gas – an important pillar of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. 

The Russian minister suggested that the two countries promote cooperative projects in new fields that meet the needs of each country, including climate change response, energy transformation, the use of green and clean energy, and nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

PM Chinh welcomed Tsivilev’s suggestion and asked the minister to continue supporting Vietnam-Russia cooperation in the energy, oil, and gas sector.

Vietnam and Russia established diplomatic relations in 1950 and the two sides entered into a strategic partnership in 2001 before upgrading the relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership on July 27, 2012.

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