News
Putin in Vietnam: A Friendship That Refuses to Die
Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Hanoi, Vietnam, marking the second stop of his East Asian tour. This visit follows his lavish trip to North Korea and highlights the diplomatic support Russia still enjoys in the region. The United States has criticized the visit, claiming it provides a platform for Putin to promote his actions in Ukraine.
Despite these criticisms, Vietnam continues to value its historic ties with Russia while simultaneously strengthening relationships with Europe and the US. A notable symbol of this enduring friendship is a five-meter high statue of Lenin in Hanoi’s political quarter, where Vietnamese officials lay flowers annually in a gesture of respect.
Vietnam’s relationship with Russia dates back to the 1950s when the Soviet Union provided crucial support to North Vietnam. This bond was further solidified during the Vietnam War and the subsequent invasion of Cambodia in 1978, where Vietnam relied heavily on Soviet assistance. Many senior Vietnamese officials, including Communist Party Secretary-General Nguyen Phu Trong, studied in Russia and are fluent in the language.
Today, while Vietnam’s economy is more integrated into global markets and its trading partners include China, Asia, the US, and Europe, it still heavily depends on Russian-made military equipment and partnerships with Russian oil companies for exploration in the South China Sea.
The Ukraine invasion posed a diplomatic challenge for Vietnam, which it has navigated by abstaining from UN resolutions condemning Russia while maintaining good relations with Ukraine. This balanced approach reflects Vietnam’s “bamboo diplomacy” strategy, which seeks to befriend all nations without forming formal alliances.
Vietnam has also strengthened ties with the US, despite their history of conflict, in pursuit of lucrative markets and to balance its relationship with China. The US has objected to Putin’s visit to Vietnam, arguing that it undermines efforts to isolate him internationally. However, public sentiment in Vietnam is more ambivalent about the Ukraine war, with some admiration for Putin’s defiance of the West and skepticism towards US and European claims of upholding international law.
This ambivalence is not unique to Vietnam but is seen in other Asian countries like Thailand, which also maintains strong ties with Russia. The contribution of Russian tourists to Thailand’s economy is highly valued.
The future of Vietnam’s relationship with Russia remains uncertain. While Vietnam is seeking alternative sources for military equipment, reducing its dependence on Russia will take time. Recent high-level resignations within the Communist Party suggest internal rivalries over the country’s direction, but the goal of being “friends to all, enemies of none” remains steadfast.
In a devastating incident in eastern India, at least 46 people, including 37 children and seven women, have drowned while celebrating the Hindu Jivitputrika festival. The fatalities, which occurred across 15 districts within the past 24 hours, resulted from victims ritually bathing in rivers and ponds swollen by recent flooding.
The three-day festival, which honors children’s wellbeing, is traditionally marked by mothers fasting and families participating in ritual baths. This year, the swollen water bodies, exacerbated by recent floods, have turned the celebratory ritual into a deadly disaster.
Local disaster management officials have expressed fears that the death toll could rise further. State authorities have promised compensation for the families and relatives of the victims.
Fatal accidents during religious festivals are not uncommon in India, where large gatherings often take place with insufficient safety measures. This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by such gatherings, especially during adverse weather conditions.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have conducted airstrikes in Beirut, reportedly killing Mohammad Hussein Surur, a senior Hezbollah air unit leader. The Lebanese health ministry confirmed two deaths and 15 injuries from the attack. The strikes come amid escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah, with both sides exchanging fire throughout the night and into the morning.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the IDF would continue to fight “with full force” against Hezbollah, aiming to dismantle the Iran-backed militant group. This marks a significant intensification of hostilities between the two sides, which have been exchanging rockets and airstrikes for days. The Lebanese health ministry also reported that 28 people were killed today by Israeli airstrikes.
In retaliation, Hezbollah launched 80 missiles targeting northern Israeli cities, including Safed. Israeli authorities have reported no casualties but noted significant property damage in Safed and Rosh Pina.
Amid the intensifying conflict, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin renewed calls for a diplomatic solution. The U.S., along with 11 other allied nations, has urged both Israel and Hezbollah to agree to a ceasefire to prevent further escalation and civilian casualties.
Ferry travel between the Isle of Man and Lancashire continues to face disruption due to strong winds over the Irish Sea. The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has cancelled Thursday’s 08:45 BST sailing of the Manxman to Heysham and its scheduled 14:15 return journey. This follows the cancellation of the vessel’s return trip from the Lancashire port on Wednesday evening.
The disruptions have affected postal services, with the Isle of Man Post Office reporting delays in deliveries from the UK. While local deliveries within the island remain unaffected, items posted on Wednesday for UK delivery may not reach Royal Mail’s network in time for Friday delivery.
Additionally, the ferry cancellations have caused a delay in newspaper deliveries, with no papers available on the island on Thursday, as confirmed by the island’s wholesale distributor.
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