Ivan Timofeev, Director of Programmes at the Russian International Affairs Council (Photo: VNA)

In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency in Moscow on Wednesday, Timofeev said one of those reasons is that the two countries share a history of sound traditional partnership. Vietnam is a big, dynamic economy with a wide market and abundant human resources, Timofeev said, and it has a bright future for both economic and technological development, creating opportunities for cooperation with Russia and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The Vietnam-Russia partnership also has great potential for mutual investment in the fields of military technology, energy, and oil and gas exploitation.  Timofeev said he believes Vietnam will effectively implement a balanced and independent multilateral policy amid the current global complexities.

Talking about the role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), including Vietnam, Timofeev quoted President Vladimir Putin as saying the bloc is an important factor with a central role in Asia-Pacific.