Illustrative image (Photo: hoihuunghivietnga.vn)

Moscow (VNA) – Russian scholars have commented on achievements made byVietnam and Russia since the two countries established their strategic partnership twodecades ago and comprehensive strategic partnership nearly a decadeago, as well as prospects of bilateral ties in the next period, duringinterviews granted to the Vietnam News Agency's reporter in Moscow ahead of the Russiavisit by President Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

Prof. Dr. Vladimir Kolotov, from the Saint Petersburg StateUniversity, said the Vietnam – Russia comprehensive strategic partnership is aninevitable result of long-term and effective exchanges and cooperation between thetwo countries, starting in the 1920s when Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh arrived inLeningrad city (Soviet Union), now Saint Petersburg, for the first time.

When comparing with the strictest standards in the world diplomaticpractice, mutual trust between Vietnam and Russia has still been at thehighest level, he said, adding that the two nations have not had profound differences in theirapproaches to dealing with major global issues. In case of arising problems, theyconducted objective analyses and gradually removed barriers to move forward. Inthe world diplomatic practices, it is the best solution to addressing such matters, according to the scholar.

Kolotov also highlighted achievements in bilateral military technologyand energy cooperation over the past two decades, notably the eไstablishment ofthe Vietnam – Russia Tropical Centre in 1988 and the Ho Chi Minh Institute inSaint Petersburg in 2010.

Prof. Dr. Vladimir Kolotov (Photo: VNA)

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, high-level meetings betweenVietnam and Russia have still been maintained regularly. They are also ready tohelp each other when necessary, evidenced by Vietnam’s donation of masks andprotective suits to Russia to help it overcome the first pandemic wave. Notlong after Sputnik V vaccine was registered in Russia, Vietnam was chosen tobuild the first Sputnik V vaccine production factory in Southeast Asia, he said.

Sharingthe same view, Chairman of the Council of Experts of theEurasian Research Fund GrigoryTrofimchuk said Vietnam has proved itself as one of the main pillars in thefight against COVID-19 in Asia. With the gradual reopening of tourist sites toforeigners, he and other Russian people expect to return to Vietnam soon.

Accordingto the expert, Russian leaders affirmed many times that Vietnam is one of the importantcountries in Asia and Southeast Asia in particular. He expressed his beliefthat the bilateral long-standing friendship will contribute to dealingwith important political matters in the region, including the East Sea issue.

Russian experts shared the view that President Phuc's visit will mark an important milestone in bilateral relations, affording Russian p♏eople ꩵachance to understand more about Vietnam today./.