US Condemns Vietnam for Welcoming Putin Amid War Crimes Accusations
The United States has criticized Vietnam for inviting Russian President Vladimir Putin to Hanoi for a state visit scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. The invitation comes amid ongoing Western sanctions against Russia led by the U.S. following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. An arrest warrant for Putin was issued last year by the International Criminal Court over alleged war crimes in Ukraine. A spokesperson for the U.K. embassy in Hanoi expressed concerns that allowing Putin to travel freely could normalize Russia's violations of international law.
Vietnam and Russia have historically close ties, and this visit follows repeated invitations from Vietnamese leaders. Despite the criticism, the U.S. upgraded its relations with Vietnam last year and remains Vietnam's top trading partner. The European Union also expressed dissatisfaction over Vietnam's recent decision to delay a meeting with the EU envoy on Russian sanctions. Putin's visit will include meetings with Vietnam's new president, To Lam, and other key leaders.
