[VT]: Phone Call to the Russian Federation

[HeadlessSeeker]

(Author: Jorge Láscar, Wikipedia)
Presidential Palace, Hanoi​

Private/Secured/Encrypted

Trần Đức Lương the President of Vietnam would place a call to the Kremlin. Using a secured phone and with Army General Lê Văn Dũng inside the room with him. Two guards were posted outside his office. The situation in Russia had caught their attention, and had caught them by surprise. Trần Đức Lương had an idea of what he wanted from the situation, and had decided to call upon the officially recognized government of Russia, or at least the current legitimate one to have a brief phone discussion. He would quietly and patiently wait for a pick up. He had heard Yeltsin resigned, and wondered who was going to pick up or who he would be transferred to.

Alex

 

[Alex]

As President Putin was currently occupied with the Argentinians, the Vietnamese phone call would be directed towards Viktor Zubkov. Using a private and encrypted phoneline, he would answer the call.

"Hello, Prime Minister Zubkov speaking. I'm very glad to hear from Vietnam, President Trần. What can I do for you?"

HeadlessSeeker

 

[HeadlessSeeker]

Private/Secured/Encrypted

"Greetings Prime Minister. I am calling you in regards to the situation apparently unfolding in Russia. Specifically the Russian Far east. I have heard that a Neo Nazi or far right group has taken control of Vladivostok. This is most worrisome as this is is practically on the border of Korea. A nation which we are building closer ties to, and will be holding a high level meeting in.

Now, on November 3, 1978, the Soviet Union and Vietnam signed a 25-year mutual defense treaty. This treaty ends in 2003, and although Russia is not the Soviet union the Russian Federation is by all accounts the continuation of the Soviet Union. Or at the very least, it's successor along with many of the other post soviet states. We are willing to honor this mutual defense treaty signed in 1978 to help contain and take care of this far right threat."

Alex

 

[Alex]

"I see, yes I understand how this can be a worrisome for Vietnam and Korea. I can assure you however that the Russian Federation and the paramilitaries in Vladivostok are working closely together. The logistics of the Federation holding military forces in the region would be difficult, however, these paramilitaries are already there and prepared to combat the armed communists in Siberia. I assure you that they have no interest nor support by the Kremlin to spill over into Korea or even China. They are contained and if the situation changes, we will contact you regarding the change immediately.

However, we will not turn away help, especially when it is offered so willingly. For now, things are cold along the regions controlled by the communists in Siberia and as such things are peaceful. For now, the best thing that Vietnam could do is offer their public support for the Russian Federation and disavow both the Communists and the Far-Right Militants as official governments. The less support they have on the international stage, the better. If the situation changes, we may have to ask for armed support in the form of peacekeepers. That is, unless you have other ideas of how to help?

Also, while I am on the phone with you, President Trần, we have noticed that Vietnam has made orders on the Indian storefront for Russian tanks. As a friendly nudge, I should point you to Russia's export company: Rosoboronexport, where Vietnam could save roughly 5-10% on their order or orders instead of purchasing from India."

HeadlessSeeker

 

[HeadlessSeeker]

Private/Secured/Encrypted

"I have to say I am somewhat alarmed to hear that you are cooperating with the Neo-Nazis and Neo-Fascists of the far east. However, if they are your allies then I suppose the situation with them is handled? Though there is something else that is concerning you just said. Or at least the implication of it. You mentioned that disavowing the far right militants as an official government would help. Is this to say, they are claiming the mantle of official government of Russia? Or I mean, attempting to?

While things are cold along the communist held areas there is another way we can possibly lend assistance. A diplomatic approach. Diplomacy failed during the riot that came before, but I believe Vietnam is in a position that the communists may be wiling to listen to. Or at the very least, humor. We would be willing to send over 'neutral' officials to help in negotiations. As you know, Vietnam is a communist nation. They may be willing to see to reason if we were to quietly speak to them. This would have to be on the quiet side, as we do not want to give them legitimacy.

Also, thank you for the heads up on your export company being open. We are currently attempting to bring our equipment back up to operational status. Parts and the like for that equipment is hard to come by and sometimes complete rebuilds are required."

Alex

 

[Alex]

"I understand the alarm and I want to make it clear that were it not for the current extreme conditions, we not even be thinking of working alongside them. However, like a virus spreading through a body, if we can contain the spread somewhere we will. But I assure you, once things are back in our control, these people will be taken care of as would be done with a virus. What I meant by disavowing them is that once the turmoil in Russia is over, they will surely run in federal elections, if they have some sort of international support - this could prove troublesome for all of Russia. The less support they have now, the less power they and their beliefs will have in the future.

Your approach to have Vietnam serve as an intermediate could potentially do wonders, or at the very least potentially pave the way towards proper peace - I agree." Typing on a keyboard could be heard for a few moments before the Prime Minister would speak again. "I believe that the city of Samara would serve as a good location to have these possible discussions, being near the territory of the communists. If you are serious about this offer then we can begin setting up the discussions shortly."

HeadlessSeeker

 

[HeadlessSeeker]

Private/Secured/Encrypted

"Yes, you can go ahead with setting up a discussion at Samara. I am very serious about pursuing this diplomatic approach. I can have a diplomatic team dispatched to serve the role as intermediaries with post haste. I can have them depart for Kurumoch International Airport which I believe is the closest airport to that city?

I do wonder though what these neo fascists might think of these negotiations and discussions. It may be best to keep news about this quiet to avoid a hostile reaction.

If I may ask, what other factions are at play at this time?"

Alex

 

[Alex]

"I agree, keeping these discussions under as many wraps of secrecy as possible. Kurumoch Airport is in fact the closest one to the city of Samara. I have currently dispatched diplomats to contact the leadership of the armed militants in Siberia, hopefully there will be news soon.

The other 'factions' are the Tuvan people who have formed the 'Free Republic of Tuva' and are advocating for independence from the Federation, they fear the communists and I cannot blame them. In the Caucasus region have arisen the Chechens once again, forming the 'Caucasus Emirate' and have begun an insurgency in Chechnya and Dagestan - diplomacy between the Federation and the terrorists will not be happening. Lastly, headquarted in St. Petersburg are military units and civilians who have put their support behind one of the Romanovs, who has recently been coronated by the Patriarch of Russia... that situation and the fact that the Russian Orthodox Church has placed their support behind them is highly concerning. It is the Kremlin's beliefs that this 'Russian Empire' has the most support behind them other than the Federation and perhaps even the communists."

HeadlessSeeker

 

[HeadlessSeeker]

Private/Secured/Encrypted

"Do you know who is allied to whom? Regardless, we will make sure not to give legitimacy to any parties aside from your own. If possible before the meeting what is it that you think the communists want? In particular I mean. Obviously they want to wrest control from you, but having a better idea of the specifics, the whys and all that will help our diplomatic team when we send them.

Also have these royalists made any aggressive moves so far? We would be unable to assist on that front due to the distances involved."

Alex

 

[Alex]

"As of now, none of the 'factions' have allied themselves with each other. Luckily, they're all on extreme ends of each other and non-alliance should remain until things can be dissolved back into a peaceful state of affairs. The communists believe that the dissolution of the USSR was illegal, that the Russian government has been taking advantage of the Russia people. I don't believe they want for the Russian government to step down, they want to take the nation by force as the Soviets did in the early 1900s. They are calling themselves the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist State...

The pro-monarchists have not made an aggressive maneuvers, no. However with the recent coronation of this 'Catherine III', it is out belief that soon things will be escalating."

HeadlessSeeker

 

[HeadlessSeeker]

Private/Secured/Encrypted

"I see. So, that is their position then. Well, I have a suggestion that may lure them into further talks. In 1993 there was a Constitutional Crisis in Russia yes? One that ended with the dissolution of the Supreme Soviet of Russia and Congress of People's Deputies. Would you be willing to consider reinstating those institutions or a compromised version of them? As I am aware the ones that replaced them have apparently weaker powers then the former? They would have to give up something in return as well. So, in a hypothetical scenario where they want those back, what would you want in return?"

Alex

 

[Alex]

"With all due respect, President Trần, we moved away from Soviet governmental structures for a reason. Russia is a democracy, it's a rough one - but a democracy nonetheless. As such, changes and opinions are to be made through proper democratic means - not armed revolt, by doing so the communists have lost all their rights in determining Russian politics. However, for the sake of potentially ending this communist revolt in a peaceful way, we will hear what the communists' leaders wish to have changed in the government of Russia. But I cannot promise that those changes can be achieved."

HeadlessSeeker

 

[HeadlessSeeker]

Private/Secured/Encrypted

"So, you would be willing to consider such a thing if it were done democratically? Then again, the communists may not trust a result born of that. Regardless, you are right. Before we make assumptions we need to find out what exactly they want, hear them out, and come up with a counter. Also, to further put the pressure on them we were wondering if you would be open to a joint negotiation team? We have been entertaining the possibility of recruiting former DPRK members to join us at the table. Having multiple teams on your side would help drive home the point would it not?"

Alex

 

[Alex]

"If it is done democratically then it isn't up to me to consider or not, it is up to the Russian people." The Prime Minister of Russia would pause for a moment, rubbing his forehead. "We will not allow members of a former tyrannical government within Russia to help us negotiate with terrorists, President Trần. That seems extremely... unproductive. It will be members of the Russian government and leaders of the communist terrorists meeting in Samara with members of the Vietnamese government there to act as middlemen and mediators - nothing more.

The meeting is scheduled to happen soon, President Trần, is Vietnam ready to attend?"

HeadlessSeeker