Kremlin: Putin's Visit To North Korea And Vietnam Intense And Productive

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un/DOK TASS

JAKARTA - Russian President Vladimir Putin's state visit to North Korea and Vietnam is "very intense and productive," said a spokesman for the Russian presidential palace, Kremlin, Dmitry Peskov.

Speaking at a news conference in Moscow, Peskov called the Western's reaction to Putin's visit to Asian countries "confusing," and noted that Moscow's partnership with other countries was never aimed at third countries.

"Any Russian foreign policy activity, even in areas directly adjacent to our country, is seen with hostility and seen through the glasses of Western aspirations to oppress Russia," he said as quoted by ANTARA from Anadolu, Friday, June 21.

Peskov said Russia's interaction with its partners was solely aimed at improving the welfare of the people involved.

He acknowledged Moscow understood Washington would continue to put pressure on all of its partners, including Vietnam.

"We believe America will pressure all of our partners. However, the cooperation we offer does not contain a confrontational attitude towards third countries. This is mutually beneficial and fully in line with the interests of our partners, including Vietnam," he stressed.

Peskov explained that bilateral negotiations in Vietnam aim to provide a new impetus for the development of Russian-Vietnam cooperation.

"The potential is very large in various fields. The negotiations are substantive and specific. Now, there is a lot of work that needs to be done at the expert level and the business world to carry out this initiative," he added.

When asked about Putin's statement in Hanoi about Russia will "try until the end" in the event of a Western escalation, Peskov clarified that the statement refers to achieving the objectives of "special military operations" in Ukraine.

The Kremlin says Russia is ready to have a dialogue with the US on strategic stability issues, but is only related to Ukraine's problems.

"We are open to dialogue, but for a broad and comprehensive dialogue that covers all dimensions, including dimensions related to the conflict around Ukraine and the United States' involvement in this conflict," he said.

Commenting on the US sanctions against the Russian Kaspesky Lab, Peskov called the sanction " Washington's favorite tactics in unfair competition".

"They always use techniques like that," he said.

Putin visited North Korea and Vietnam from Tuesday to Thursday. The trip to the Asia-Pacific region was preceded by a full-day work trip to the Yakutia region in Russia.