Vietnam’s foreign affairs ministry has raised eyebrows in the European Union by delaying a scheduled meeting with the bloc’s top official on Russian sanctions. The postponement comes as rumors circulate about a potential visit to Hanoi by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The meeting, originally set for May 13-14, was to be held between Vietnamese officials and David O’Sullivan, the EU’s special envoy for sanctions implementation. According to sources, Hanoi requested a delay, citing that “leaders were too busy to meet with him.” Three other diplomatic sources confirmed the postponement, with one suggesting July as a proposed alternative.
Some diplomats have linked the delay to preparations for a possible visit by Putin. One source suggested that talks with the EU envoy could potentially “spoil” the Russian leader’s visit.
Vietnam has been walking a diplomatic tightrope, pursuing a neutral foreign policy amidst major world powers. The country has notably abstained from condemning Russia’s actions in Ukraine, a stance that Western nations view as overly sympathetic to Moscow.
Adding to the complexity, Vietnamese leaders have repeatedly invited Putin to visit, despite the International Criminal Court’s March 2023 arrest warrant for alleged war crimes in Ukraine. Vietnam is not a member of the ICC.
Gennady Bezdetko, Russia’s ambassador to Vietnam, recently stated that Putin had accepted the invitation, with the visit date to be determined after his May 7 inauguration for a fifth presidential term.
Russia maintains significant ties with Vietnam as its primary weapons supplier and plays a crucial role in Vietnam’s South China Sea gas exploitation.
The EU, an important trading partner for Vietnam, has imposed extensive sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine conflict. O’Sullivan’s role involves ensuring countries do not assist Russia or other sanctioned states in circumventing these measures.
While there is no evidence of Vietnam directly aiding Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine, some diplomats suggest that detecting any potential sanctions-breaching trade, particularly involving small components like chips, could prove challenging.