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Netanyahu accuses Biden of withholding weapons, US officials dispute this narrative

Venus L Peñaflor
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Netanyahu accuses Biden of withholding weapons, US officials dispute this narrative

Jerusalem. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed on Tuesday that the United States is delaying weapons deliveries, impacting Israel’s military operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. This area has become a focal point in the ongoing conflict, worsening the humanitarian crisis for Palestinians.

Netanyahu directly criticized President Joe Biden for withholding certain heavy bombs since May due to concerns over civilian casualties in Gaza. Despite these delays, the Biden administration has carefully avoided suggesting that Israeli forces have crossed a threshold that would prompt a broader ban on arms transfers.

“It’s inconceivable that in the past few months, the administration has been withholding weapons and ammunitions to Israel,” Netanyahu asserted in a video statement. “Give us the tools and we’ll finish the job a lot faster.”

Netanyahu further claimed that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken assured him during a recent visit to Israel that efforts were ongoing to resolve the delays.

However, Blinken clarified on Tuesday that the pause pertains only to the heavy bombs discussed in May. “We, as you know, are continuing to review one shipment that President Biden has talked about with regard to 2,000-pound bombs because of our concerns about their use in a densely populated area like Rafah,” Blinken said during a State Department news conference. “That remains under review. But everything else is moving as it normally would.”

The Israeli military did not provide specifics on the withheld weapons, and Netanyahu’s foreign policy adviser, Ophir Falk, directed questions to the U.S. government.

Responding to Netanyahu’s accusations, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre remarked, “We generally do not know what he’s talking about. We just don’t.” She emphasized that the U.S. is engaged in “constructive discussions” with Israel regarding the shipment of heavy bombs and that this is the only transfer currently delayed.

Amid these tensions, top Democrats in Congress recently approved a $15 billion sale of F-15 fighter jets to Israel, which had been delayed pending inquiries into Israel’s use of U.S. weapons in Gaza.

As Israel’s conflict with Hamas enters its ninth month, there is growing international criticism of U.S. support for Israel’s extensive military campaign in Gaza, which has resulted in significant civilian casualties. The United Nations’ top court has warned of a “plausible risk of genocide” in Gaza, a claim Israel strongly denies, attributing civilian deaths to Hamas militants operating within civilian areas.

Netanyahu’s address, delivered in English, appears aimed at reinforcing U.S. arms support and does not necessarily indicate a shortage of weapons on the ground. “I’m not worried,” said Itamar Yaar, a former deputy head of Israel’s National Security Council. He believes Netanyahu’s message is intended to make it harder for the Biden administration to delay future arms supplies.

Aviv Bushinsky, a former adviser to Netanyahu, suggested that the prime minister’s office is setting the stage for Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s upcoming U.S. meetings, while allowing Netanyahu to take credit for any progress on the bomb shipment. The video also preludes Netanyahu’s forthcoming speech to Congress.

“It’s a very belligerent style of diplomacy, but he’s in a win-win situation,” Bushinsky observed. “He has nothing to lose at the moment — this serves him in all dimensions, internally, publicly.”

On Monday, Netanyahu disbanded his war Cabinet, consolidating his control over the conflict and reducing the likelihood of an imminent ceasefire. Critics argue that Netanyahu is prolonging the war to avoid scrutiny over the government’s actions on October 7 and to stave off new elections amid low popularity. Netanyahu, however, insists his goal is the complete dismantling of Hamas’ military and governance structures, regardless of how long it takes.

Ceasefire negotiations have repeatedly faltered, with both Israel and Hamas hesitating to fully endorse a U.S.-backed plan aimed at ending hostilities, returning hostages, and starting the reconstruction of Gaza.

The war has resulted in over 37,100 deaths in Gaza, according to the territory’s Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between combatants and civilians. The conflict has severely restricted the flow of essential supplies to Palestinians, leading to widespread hunger and suffering.

The war began following a brutal October 7 attack by Hamas militants in southern Israel, which left around 1,200 people dead and saw about 250 individuals abducted.

Chinese forces seize Philippine Navy boats in disputed shoal, injuring sailors

Venus L Peñaflor
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Chinese forces seize Philippine Navy boats in disputed shoal, injuring sailors

MANILA. Chinese forces have seized two Philippine rubber boats delivering supplies to a military outpost at Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed South China Sea, resulting in injuries to several Filipino navy personnel, according to Philippine security officials.

The confrontation on Monday, which lasted several hours, prompted the United States to reiterate its defense commitments to the Philippines, a treaty ally. The shoal, occupied by a small Philippine navy contingent aboard the grounded warship BRP Sierra Madre, has been the focal point of a longstanding territorial dispute closely monitored by China’s coast guard and navy.

The incident is feared to escalate tensions in the South China Sea, potentially drawing the U.S. and China into a larger conflict. Both nations blamed each other for the hostilities but provided limited details.

A Philippine task force overseeing territorial disputes condemned the “dangerous maneuvers, including ramming and towing,” which disrupted the effort to deliver food, water, and other supplies to the BRP Sierra Madre. Two security officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, described how Filipino navy personnel aboard two rubber boats were met by Chinese coast guard speedboats, leading to a scuffle and collisions. Eight Filipinos were injured, with one sailor losing a thumb.

Five of the injured were rescued by a nearby Philippine coast guard patrol ship. The two rubber boats, seized and later abandoned by Chinese personnel, were recovered by the Filipino navy. The boats were emptied of their contents, including rifles.

The Chinese coast guard presented a different version, claiming the Philippines “is entirely responsible for this.” They accused a Philippine vessel of dangerously approaching a Chinese vessel despite repeated warnings, resulting in a collision. China’s Foreign Ministry described their coast guard’s actions as “professional, restrained, reasonable and lawful.”

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, in a call with Philippine counterpart Maria Theresa Lazaro, criticized China’s “dangerous actions” and reaffirmed the 1951 U.S.-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty, which obligates mutual defense in case of attacks on their forces in the South China Sea.

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. condemned China’s “dangerous and reckless behavior,” vowing that the armed forces would protect the country’s territorial integrity. “It should now be clear to the international community that China’s actions are the true obstacles to peace and stability in the South China Sea,” Teodoro said.

This latest incident follows several confrontations near Second Thomas Shoal, located less than 200 nautical miles from the Philippine coast. The BRP Sierra Madre, grounded intentionally in 1999 to assert Philippine territorial claims, remains an actively commissioned military vessel, and any attack on it could be considered an act of war by the Philippines.

China’s aggressive stance in the South China Sea has led to increasing conflicts with neighboring countries, particularly the Philippines and Vietnam. A new Chinese law effective Saturday allows its coast guard to seize foreign ships in what it claims as its territorial waters and detain foreign crews for up to 60 days. The law includes provisions for using force against foreign vessels if necessary.

Centuries-old cherries perfectly preserved unearthed at George Washington’s Mount Vernon

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Centuries-old cherries perfectly preserved unearthed at George Washington’s Mount Vernon

MOUNT VERNON, Va. Dozens of bottles filled with perfectly preserved cherries and other berries from George Washington’s era have been unearthed at his Mount Vernon estate in a remarkable archaeological discovery, . This find was made during a restoration project at the historic site on the banks of the Potomac River.

Mount Vernon’s principal archaeologist, Jason Boroughs, described the discovery as nearly unprecedented. “Finding what is essentially fresh fruit, 250 years later, is pretty spectacular,” Boroughs said. “All the stars sort of have to align in the right manner for that to happen.”

The excavation revealed whole cherries and other fruits like gooseberries and currants, still intact in some bottles. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is conducting DNA testing on the fruit to confirm their identity and exploring the possibility of planting some of the 50 cherry pits recovered from the bottles. However, USDA plant geneticist Benjamin Gutierrez cautioned that the chances of growing a tree from the waterlogged pits are slim.

In addition to DNA testing, chemical tests are being conducted to determine if specific spices were used to preserve the fruits. Historical records from Mount Vernon show that George and Martha Washington were fond of cherries, particularly when mixed with brandy. Martha Washington’s recipe for a “cherry bounce” cocktail has survived, and it is known that George Washington took a canteen of cherry bounce on a trip in 1784.

These newly discovered cherries were likely intended to be eaten as fruit rather than used in cocktails, according to Boroughs. The quality of preservation highlights the high skill level of the enslaved workers who managed the plantation’s kitchen, overseen by an enslaved woman named Doll. “The enslaved folks who were taking care of the trees, picking the fruit, working in the kitchen, those would have been the folks that probably would have overseen and done this process,” Boroughs said. “It’s a highly skilled process. Otherwise, they just wouldn’t have survived this way.”

The discovery was made possible by a $40 million revitalization project at Mount Vernon, aimed to be completed by the United States’ 250th birthday in 2026. The bottles were found in six distinct storage pits uncovered from the cellar of Washington’s mansion. The dig revealed a total of 35 bottles, 29 of which were intact, containing cherries and other berries, some dating back to before 1775.

“When we do archaeology, it’s destructive,” Boroughs noted. “So unless we have a reason to disturb those resources, we tend not to. In this case, because of these needed structural repairs to the mansion, the ground was going to be disturbed. So we looked there first. We didn’t expect to find all this.”

The bottles, predating the 1775 expansion of the mansion, were found in excellent condition, with 12 holding cherries, 16 containing other berries, and one larger bottle containing a mix of cherries and other berries.

“There is a lot of information that we’re excited to get from these bottles,” Boroughs said, highlighting the ongoing analysis that promises to shed more light on the culinary practices of George Washington’s time.

Archeologist Jason Boroughs discusses artifacts found underneath George Washington’s residence in Mount Vernon, Va., Monday, June 17, 2024. Earlier this year, a few dozen 18th-century glass bottles containing fruit were unearthed in the mansion cellar of the America’s first president. AP Photo/Nathan Ellgren

Thailand set to become first southeast Asian country to recognize same-sex marriage

Venus L Peñaflor
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Thailand set to become first southeast Asian country to recognize same-sex marriage

BANGKOK. Thailand’s Senate passed a landmark marriage equality law on Tuesday, positioning the nation to become the first in Southeast Asia to officially recognize same-sex couples. The bill, supported by a significant majority of lawmakers in the upper house, marks the culmination of over two decades of advocacy by activists.

The law, awaiting royal approval, will take effect 120 days after its publication in the royal gazette, potentially allowing the first same-sex weddings to occur later this year.

“Today we celebrate another significant milestone in the journey of our Equal Marriage Bill,” Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin posted on X. “We will continue our fight for social rights for all people regardless of their status.”

LGBTQ+ advocates hailed the move as a “monumental step forward,” noting that Thailand would become the first nation in Southeast Asia and the third in Asia, following Nepal and Taiwan, to enact marriage equality legislation.

“We are very proud to make history,” said Plaifah Kyoka Shodladd, a member of the parliamentary committee on same-sex marriage. “Today love triumphed over prejudice… after fighting for more than 20 years, today we can say that this country has marriage equality.”

Celebrations erupted in Thailand’s parliament, with lawmakers and activists waving rainbow flags, smiling, and raising their fists in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.

In Chiang Mai province, human rights activist Matcha Phornin, her wife Veerawan Wanna, and their adopted daughter watched the senate proceedings intently. “We have support from the parliament, from the senators who passed this law. That means we are protected by law,” Matcha said after they cheered and hugged each other when the bill passed. “And she will be legally adopted after this,” Matcha added, referring to their daughter.

Thailand, already renowned for its vibrant LGBTQ+ culture and tolerance, further showcased its progressive stance earlier this month. Thousands of revelers and activists paraded through the streets of Bangkok for Pride Month, joined by Prime Minister Srettha, who wore a rainbow shirt in celebration.

“This would underscore Thailand’s leadership in the region in promoting human rights and gender equality,” the Civil Society Commission of marriage equality, activists, and LGBTQI couples said in a statement.

The passing of this bill represents a significant advancement for LGBTQ+ rights in Thailand and sets a precedent for neighboring countries in the region.

Muslims in Asia celebrate Eid al-Adha with sacrifice and festivities

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Muslims in Asia celebrate Eid al-Adha with sacrifice and festivities

JAKARTA, Indonesia. Muslims across Asia celebrated Eid al-Adha on Monday, marking the significant Islamic festival with prayers, sacrifices, and traditional feasts, while extending their thoughts and prayers to those affected by the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.

Eid al-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s test of faith, where he was willing to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. Muslims around the world observe this day by slaughtering livestock and distributing the meat to the less fortunate. The celebration coincides with the final rites of the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

A Day of Prayers and Sacrifices

In Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, worshippers gathered in large numbers for communal prayers. Preachers urged the faithful to remember and pray for Muslims in Gaza and Rafah. “Our prayers and thoughts are with our brothers and sisters who are now suffering in Palestine,” said worshipper Adi Prasetya after prayers in southern Jakarta. Another devotee, Berlina Yustiza, prayed for strength and peace for those ravaged by war.

Cultural Traditions in Indonesia

Indonesia, home to the largest Muslim population in the world, has unique traditions for Eid al-Adha influenced by other religions. In Yogyakarta, locals believe catching crops arranged in a “gunungan” can bring good luck. In East Java’s Pasuruan city, a tradition called “manten sapi” involves dressing sacrificial cows like brides. Villagers in Demak celebrated with a procession of livestock called “apitan,” expressing gratitude for food and harvest.

Celebrations Across Asia

In Malaysia, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim joined thousands in morning prayers at a mosque near his office in Putrajaya. He emphasized the message of simplicity and humility preached in Hajj, encouraging Muslims to remain humble and avoid the temptations of worldly riches.

In India, where Muslims comprise 14% of the population, the historic Jama Masjid in New Delhi saw thousands offering prayers. Families gathered early, shared hugs and wishes, and merchants lined the streets with goats for sale.

In Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority nation of over 170 million, large congregations gathered in open fields and mosques to mark the festival. More than 400,000 devotees participated in prayers at a field in Kishoreganj district, while in the capital, Dhaka, 35,000 people joined a prominent imam at the Supreme Court grounds. Millions of cattle were slaughtered across the country in celebration.

A Unified Spirit

The festival not only highlights the spirit of sacrifice and charity but also brings communities together in prayer and celebration, reinforcing the values of empathy and compassion. As Muslims across Asia and the world celebrated Eid al-Adha, the emphasis remained on unity, peace, and the importance of supporting those in need.

Men prepare to slaughter a cow whose meat would later be distributed to the needy during the celebration of Eid al-Adha in Selayang, outskirt of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, June 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Bangkay natagpuan sa bangin sa Batangas

Arman B. Cambe
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Bangkay natagpuan sa bangin sa Batangas

BALAYAN, Batangas. Isang bangkay ng hindi pa nakikilalang lalaki ang natagpuan sa isang 10 metrong lalim na bangin sa Barangay Tanggoy, sa bayang ito sa Batangas. Ang bangkay ay nakasilid sa sako at nasa advanced stage na ng decomposition, ayon sa mga awtoridad.

Ayon sa ulat, isang concerned citizen ang nakakita sa bangkay na may nakausling paa mula sa sako, kaya agad itong nagreport sa himpilan ng pulisya.

“Nakasuot po siya [yung bangkay] ng black shorts at shirt, tapos may tattoo po sa kanang braso pati sa kaliwang braso,” pahayag ni PLTCOL. Merlin Pineda, Officer in Charge ng Balayan Police Station.

Natuklasan din na nagtamo ng ilang saksak ang katawan ng biktima, na nagpatibay sa hinala ng mga awtoridad na posibleng itinapon sa lugar ang biktima pagkatapos patayin.

Agad inilipat ang bangkay sa isang punerarya sa Balayan habang nagpapatuloy ang imbestigasyon sa kaso. Hinimok ni Pineda ang mga residente na mag-ulat kaagad sa pulisya sakaling makakita ng mga kahina-hinalang bagay o pangyayari.

Ang insidenteng ito ay nagbigay ng alarma sa mga residente ng Barangay Tanggoy at sa buong Balayan. Patuloy na naghahanap ng impormasyon ang mga awtoridad upang matukoy ang pagkakakilanlan ng biktima at ang mga responsable sa krimen.

Para sa anumang impormasyon, maaaring makipag-ugnayan sa Balayan Police Station upang makatulong sa mabilis na paglutas ng kasong ito.

China targets European farmers in response to EU tariffs on electric vehicles

Venus L Peñaflor
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China targets European farmers in response to EU tariffs on electric vehicles

BEIJING. The Chinese government has launched an investigation into European Union pork imports, marking a strategic shift in its response to the EU’s recent decision to impose tariffs on China-made electric vehicles (EVs). This move, announced by the Commerce Ministry on Monday, is seen as a tactical maneuver to gain leverage in ongoing trade negotiations.

The Chinese Commerce Ministry refrained from mentioning the new EV tariffs directly when it disclosed the anti-dumping investigation into European pork. However, analysts interpret this action as a clear retaliation against the EU’s impending tariffs on Chinese EVs. The investigation will scrutinize various pork products, including fresh and frozen meat, intestines, and other internal organs. It is expected to last for one year, with the possibility of a six-month extension.

China’s decision to target the agricultural sector, rather than imposing a potential 25% duty on gasoline-powered vehicles—a move that would have significantly impacted German automakers like Mercedes and BMW—suggests a calculated approach. This choice may reflect the Chinese government’s awareness of the German auto industry’s public opposition to the EU tariffs and its substantial production footprint in China.

Olof Gill, a spokesperson for the European Commission on trade, emphasized that EU farm subsidies comply with World Trade Organization (WTO) obligations. “We will follow the investigation very closely and intervene as needed to ensure that the Chinese probe complies with WTO rules,” Gill stated.

Chinese officials have criticized the EU’s investigation into subsidies for Chinese EV production, labeling it as “typical protectionist behavior” that violates WTO regulations. The EU plans to enforce provisional tariffs ranging from 17.4% to 38.1% on Chinese EVs, including those exported by foreign brands like Tesla, for four months starting July 4.

EU pork exports to China peaked at 7.4 billion euros ($7.9 billion) in 2020, driven by increased demand after a swine disease outbreak decimated China’s pig farms. However, exports have since declined, reaching 2.5 billion euros ($2.6 billion) last year, with nearly half originating from Spain.

Spanish Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo cautioned against escalating trade countermeasures, stating, “We must avoid an escalation of trade countermeasures.” Spain’s pork industry association, Interporc, has pledged full cooperation with Chinese authorities, offering to provide all necessary documentation.

Spain’s Minister for Agriculture, Luis Planas, highlighted the recurrent impact of trade disputes on the agricultural sector. “The agricultural industry does not tend to be the source of conflicts but it does end up paying the price often enough,” Planas remarked, referencing the U.S. tariffs on some EU agricultural products in 2019 amid the Airbus subsidy conflict. “I believe that we have both the time and the margin to negotiate and try to avoid this trade conflict,” he added.

As the investigation unfolds, both sides appear poised for complex negotiations, with significant implications for the global trade landscape.

Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis’ set for September release in theaters

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis’ set for September release in theaters

NEW YORK. After months of speculation about the fate of Francis Ford Coppola’s self-financed epic, “Megalopolis” has finally found a home. Lionsgate announced on Monday that it will distribute “Megalopolis” in U.S. and Canadian theaters, concluding one of the year’s biggest acquisition dramas. Coppola’s $120-million Roman epic set in a futuristic New York will hit theaters, including IMAX screens, on September 27.

Coppola first privately screened “Megalopolis,” his first film in 13 years, for potential buyers in late March in Los Angeles. The unique nature of “Megalopolis” quickly garnered attention, alongside some skepticism regarding its financial potential. Last month, it debuted at the Cannes Film Festival, where it received mixed reviews but broad admiration for its daring approach.

Coppola has previously collaborated with Lionsgate on several home movie releases, including “Apocalypse Now Final Cut.” In a statement, Coppola expressed his enthusiasm for partnering with Lionsgate again: “One rule of business I’ve always followed and prioritized (to my benefit) is to continue working with companies and teams who over time have proven to be good friends as well as great collaborators. This is why I am thrilled to have [Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair] Adam Fogelson and Lionsgate Studios release ‘Megalopolis.’ I am confident they will apply the same tender love and care given to ‘Apocalypse Now,’ which is currently in its 45th year of astounding revenue and appreciation.”

“Megalopolis” stars Adam Driver as Cesar, an artist-inventor with dreams of a utopian metropolis, who is at odds with the city’s mayor, played by Giancarlo Esposito. The film also features Nathalie Emmanuel, Aubrey Plaza, Laurence Fishburne, Shia LaBeouf, Jon Voight, and Dustin Hoffman.

Coppola has spent decades contemplating “Megalopolis” and ultimately sold parts of his considerable wine empire to finance it largely by himself. The film, which has already secured distribution deals in many international territories, includes experimental elements. Screenings so far have featured a live moment where an actor steps on stage and addresses a question to the screen.

Adam Fogelson, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair, praised Coppola in a statement: “Francis is a legend. For many of us, his gifts to cinema were one of the inspirations to devote our own careers to film. It is a true privilege to work with him, and to bring this incredible, audacious, and utterly unique movie to theatrical audiences. At Lionsgate, we strive to be a home for bold and daring artists, and ‘Megalopolis’ proves there is no one more bold or daring than the maestro, Francis Ford Coppola.”

21 Pinoy seaman sa barkong inatake ng Houthi rebels, nakauwi na

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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21 Pinoy seaman sa barkong inatake ng Houthi rebels, nakauwi na

MAYNILA. Nakauwi na sa Pilipinas kahapon ang 21 Filipino seafarers na nasagip mula sa MV Tutor, na kamakailan lang ay inatake ng mga rebeldeng Houthi.

Ang mga nasabing Pinoy seafarer ay sinalubong ng mga opisyal ng Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) at Department of Health (DOH) sa kanilang pagdating sa bansa. Dumating sila sa Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 mula sa Bahrain Airport.

Ayon sa DMW, ang mga tripulante ay tatanggap ng financial assistance na nagkakahalaga ng P230,000. Ang breakdown ng tulong pinansyal ay P50,000 mula sa DMW, P150,000 mula sa House of Representatives, P10,000 mula sa Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA), at P20,000 mula sa Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Una na rin silang nakatanggap ng tig-192 Bahraini Dinars, na katumbas ng P30,000 bago sila umuwi ng Pilipinas.

Matatandaang noong Hunyo 12, naganap ang insidente kung saan nawasak ang MV Tutor matapos tamaan ng double missile attack ng mga rebelde sa Red Sea. Agad namang nasagip ang 21 tripulante, habang isa pa ang nawawala.

“Napasalamat kami sa mabilis na aksyon ng gobyerno para sa aming kaligtasan,” ayon sa isa sa mga seafarers na hindi nagbigay ng pangalan.

Ang mabilis na pag-aksyon ng pamahalaan at ang pagbibigay ng tulong pinansyal ay isang malaking tulong para sa mga umuwing seafarers at kanilang mga pamilya.

Putin’s Vietnam visit sparks U.S. criticism of Hanoi

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Putin’s Vietnam visit sparks U.S. criticism of Hanoi

HANOI. Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit Hanoi this week, a move highlighting Vietnam’s enduring ties with Russia and drawing sharp criticism from the United States. Vietnamese and Russian state media confirmed the visit on Monday.

The visit comes shortly after Vietnam abstained from attending a Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland last weekend, opting instead to send its deputy foreign minister to a BRICS meeting in Russia earlier in the week.

Putin, recently sworn in for his fifth term, is scheduled to meet Vietnam’s new president, To Lam, and other key leaders during his two-day visit on Wednesday and Thursday.

The United States, which has strengthened its relations with Hanoi and is Vietnam’s top trading partner, responded strongly to the news. “No country should give Putin a platform to promote his war of aggression and otherwise allow him to normalize his atrocities,” a spokesperson for the U.S. embassy in Hanoi told Reuters. “If he is able to travel freely, it could normalize Russia’s blatant violations of international law,” the spokesperson added, referencing Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Vietnam’s foreign ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

In March 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin over alleged war crimes in Ukraine. However, neither Vietnam, Russia, nor the U.S. are members of the ICC.

The European Union, another significant economic partner for Vietnam, has not yet commented on the visit. However, last month, the EU expressed dissatisfaction over Hanoi’s decision to postpone a meeting with the EU envoy on Russian sanctions, a delay linked to preparations for Putin’s visit.

Ian Storey, a senior fellow at the Singapore-based ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, remarked, “From Hanoi’s perspective, the visit is meant to demonstrate that Vietnam pursues a balanced foreign policy that does not favour any of the major powers,” noting Vietnam’s recent hosting of both Joe Biden and Xi Jinping.

Energy, Arms, and Tech Discussions Expected

Putin’s visit marks his first state visit to Vietnam since 2017 and his fifth overall. During the visit, he is expected to announce agreements in trade, investment, technology, and education, according to two officials who spoke to Reuters. However, these plans are subject to change.

More sensitive discussions are anticipated, including talks on arms, energy, and financial transactions. Russia has historically been Vietnam’s top arms supplier, and Russian companies are active in Vietnamese gas and oil fields in the South China Sea, an area also claimed by China. The countries have faced challenges in conducting transactions due to U.S. sanctions on Russian banks, one official noted.

Carl Thayer, a senior expert on Vietnam security at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra, suggested that the talks would likely focus on strengthening economic and commercial ties, including arms sales. “Putin and Vietnam’s leaders will likely agree to work out rouble-dong currency transactions via the banking system to enable payment for goods and services,” he added.

As the geopolitical landscape shifts, Vietnam continues to navigate its relationships with major global powers, maintaining a delicate balance amid rising tensions.

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