President Nguyen Xuan Phuc holds a phone talk with Russian President Vladimir Putin

During a phone talk, President Phuc said Vietnam treasures its traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia and wants to further bilateral ties in all fields.

The two leaders agreed to further facilitate bilateral trade and investment, expand cooperation, and accelerate projects in energy, oil and gas, national defense, and security in post-pandemic.

President Phuc thanked Russia for giving Vietnam medicines and medical supplies to fight COVID-19, helping Vietnam to access vaccine, and transferring vaccine production technology to Vietnam.

President Putin promised to continue to support and work closely with Vietnam to combat COVID-19.

The two leaders pledged to work closely in regional forums and reached consensus on peaceful settlement of disputes in the East Sea in line with international law. President Phuc said Vietnam always welcomes and is ready to serve as bridge for Russia to expand cooperation with other ASEAN countries and the Asia-Pacific region.