Russian President Vladimir Putin begins a state visit to Vietnam, a day after signing a mutual defence pact with North Korea's Kim Jong Un, who offered his 'full support' on Ukraine.
It follows a US delegation to build up Vietnam as an alternative supplier of key high-tech components instead of China.Mr Putin 's welcome is expected to be more modest than the rapturous reception in North Korea.
Washington and its allies accuse North Korea of supplying ammunition and missiles to Russia for its war in Ukraine, and the deal fuelled fears of more deliveries.The US State Department said deepening Russia-North Korea ties were "of great concern" while a top Ukrainian official accused Pyongyang of abetting Moscow's "mass murder of Ukrainians".
The two countries have been allies since North Korea's founding after World War II and have drawn even closer since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In particular, it has sought to avoid picking sides in the growing US-China rivalry even as both superpowers look to boost their influence in South-East Asia.
Beijing swiftly followed suit, with President Xi Jinping making his own state visit barely three months later.But observers say that in private, Ukraine and defence cooperation are likely to be on the table.
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