Activities Held in Ha Noi, HCMC to Mark Victory Day of Soviet people in Great Patriotic War
	Vietnam and Russia Remain Closely Connected Through Shared Values

In an interview with a Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Moscow on June 15, Dr. Valeria Vershinina, Deputy Director of the ASEAN Centre at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) under the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, affirmed that Russia highly values Vietnam’s traditional role as a “bridge” in Southeast Asia, as well as its positive contributions to advancing cooperation between Russia and ASEAN.

Dr. Valeria Vershinina, Deputy Director of the ASEAN Centre at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) under the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (Photo: VNA News)

According to Dr. Vershinina, Moscow and Hanoi share many common views on safeguarding ASEAN centrality in the regional security architecture and on fostering a peaceful, stable, and sustainably developing environment in the Asia-Pacific region. Russia has also pledged to continue supporting Vietnam’s constructive initiatives aimed at strengthening ASEAN unity and enhancing the bloc’s capacity to respond to current geopolitical developments.

A clear demonstration of this commitment was the congratulatory message sent by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to the third ASEAN Future Forum held in Hanoi, in which he affirmed that the forum is a reputable multilateral mechanism that provides an appropriate platform for stakeholders to exchange views and conduct in-depth assessments on a wide range of key issues related to regional development.

Regarding the prospects for ASEAN-Russia relations, ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn shared with the Government Newspaper his views on Vietnam’s role in ASEAN-Russia relations, as well as the future outlook for cooperation between the two sides, ahead of the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit marking the 35th anniversary of relations, scheduled to take place in Kazan, Russian Federation, on June 17-18, 2026.

According to the ASEAN Secretary-General, as the country coordinator for ASEAN-Russia Dialogue Relations for the 2027-2030 term, Vietnam is well-positioned to facilitate the implementation of outcomes achieved at the ASEAN-Russia Summit.

At a time when the world is facing growing volatility and fragmentation, Vietnam’s participation in the summit also reflects ASEAN’s commitment to constructive and inclusive dialogue with all partners. This contributes to strengthening regional peace, stability, and economic resilience, while advancing the shared goals of the ASEAN Community.

The ASEAN Secretary-General emphasized that strengthening partnerships within ASEAN as well as between ASEAN and its external partners is one of the core priorities of his tenure, guided by six objectives - the “6Ps”: Peace, Prosperity, Planet, People, Partnerships, and Potentials.

Kao Kim Hourn noted that Vietnam has consistently played an important, constructive role and served as a bridge in ASEAN-Russia relations.

The long-standing and multifaceted bilateral relationship between Vietnam and Russia has provided a solid foundation that contributes to strengthening the ASEAN-Russia Strategic Partnership.

International Friends Commend Vietnam’s Role in Shaping ASEAN’s Future Within the framework of the ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) 2026, held in Hanoi on June 8-9, numerous ambassadors and international diplomats praised Vietnam’s increasingly proactive ...

PM Departs for ASEAN – Russia Commemorative Summit PM Hung’s participation in this summit once again reflects Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, resilience, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, as well as ...