Journal Analysis
There have been two major events in world politics this month – deepening world divisions and the risk
of war. The first was the Ukraine peace conference held in Switzerland and the other was Russian
President Vladimir Putin's visit to North Korea and Vietnam.
Following a series of four international summits, the Swiss President Viola Amherd hosted “the Summit
on Peace in Ukraine” was held in Bürgenstock Resort in Switzerland on 15–16 June 2024.
Representatives from 92 nations and 8 international organizations attended the summit, while Russia
and China did not participate.
The three main topics of focus for the summit were nuclear safety and security, freedom of navigation
and food safety, and humanitarian aspects.
This peace conference cannot be called an effective breakthrough for the Russian-Ukraine conflict. First
of all, the absence of Russia, the absence of China, Russia's ally, is like staging Hamlet without the Danish
prince. In fact, this conference can be called a conference of US-led democratic rulers against the
authoritarian rulers of the world (Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, Vietnam) There is no reason to think
that the authoritarians will respond to their calls. The conference was a consolation for Ukrainian
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy —who had been constantly urging the direct involvement of all of
Europe in the war. Brazil, India, South America and Saudi Arabia did not signed the declaration. Apart
from this, Jordan, Iraq and some others signed the declaration but later withdrew it.
There were sharp divisions among the participants in this conference, which failed to make unanimous
declaration. So there are doubts about how effective this conference will be in stopping the bloodshed
in Ukraine.
Just after the Summit on Peace in Ukraine in Switzerland, Russian President Putin, ignoring international
arrest warrant, visited North Korea and Vietnam. Putin was accompanied by the Russian Defence
Minister Andrei Belousov, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.
Russian President Vladimir Putin made a historic visit to North Korea on June 18 to 19, where he was
warmly hosted by leader Kim Jong Un. During the visit, Putin gifted Kim a luxurious Russian-made
limousine, Aurus, among other items, reflecting their personal rapport and Kim's known enthusiasm for
cars. In return, Kim presented Putin with several gifts including dogs.
North Korea needs money, food and high technology. Russia, on the other hand, needs missiles and
ammunition – which will be used in the ongoing war in Ukraine. Needless to say, there is no reason for
these two friends not to respond to all these issues. According to analysts, now USA and its Pacific allies
will need to be more vigilant in countering a Russia-backed Kim.
Following his North Korea visit, the Russian president Vladimir Putin made a state visit to Hanoi on a
two-day (June 20-21) trip. He received highest honor when arrived at Hanoi airport. He held meetings
with Vietnamese President To Lam, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong
Ha, top party diplomat Le Hoai Trung and others high officials.
During the visit, Vietnam and Russian signed 11 memorandums for cooperation in areas including non-
military nuclear projects, energy and petrol cooperation, education and disease prevention.
However, the visit of Russian President Putin to US Pacific ally Vietnam has added a new dimension to
world politics.
The USA wants to side with Vietnam to counter Chinese hegemony in the South China Sea. Vietnam and
China have tensions over the sovereignty of Spratly and Paracel Islands despites the two authoritarian
regimes established a "comprehensive strategic partnership" that has not only fostered cooperation and
stability but also strengthened trade, with bilateral commerce exceeding $171 billion (€159 billion) in
2023.
Putin focused the issue while discussing with his Vietnamese counterpart as he is for “an adequate and
reliable security architecture in Asia-Pacific based on the principles of not resorting to force, and of
resolving differences peacefully”.
At this time, Putin's visit to Vietnam disappointed the United States. Note that Vietnam has played a
neutral role by not condemning the Russian aggression in Ukraine and the country did not participate in
the recently concluded Switzerland Peace Conference.
It would be a disappointment for the United States if Vietnam entering into the Chinese sphere,
avoiding the Spratly and Paracel Islands issue or solve the disputes mediating by the Russian President
Putin. If it does, the US will lose a valuable member of the anti-Chinese coalition in pacific-ocean.