- Oct 3, 2018
- 2,897
![]() МИД РФ Ministry of Foreign Affairs | ![]() |
AUTHENTIC COMMUNIQUE OF THE OFFICE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Security Clearance: Secure and Encrypted |
[Recipient]: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Viet Nam < HeadlessSeeker > [Sender]: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Russian Federation < @LCAlbrechtMOFA.ru.gov > [Subject]: Confidential: Diplomatic Relations |
Dear Minister Nguyễn, I hope this email finds you well Minister Nguyễn. The Government of the Russian Federation is happy to see stability returning to Viet Nam and looks to continue the conversations shared with your predecessor. With strong historical ties between Vietnam and Russia, His Excellency the President has identified the need for stronger relations and hopes that Vietnam will reciprocate this energy. Our Ministry is eager to engage in a constructive dialogue with you and finds ways to develop our relations. I hope that we may talk to allow us to facilitate open and transparent communication on matters of common interest. This talk could serve as a platform for discussing political, economic, cultural, and security-related issues. Additionally, we are keen on exploring opportunities for collaborative initiatives in areas such as defense cooperation, energy cooperation, and industrial development. Russia is eager to expand its defense footprint in the region and would see Vietnam as a strong ally to advance our mutual interests including Viet Nam's sovereignty in the South China Sea, keeping in check regional powers, and ensuring peace and security. We are eager to further Russian investments in Viet Nam, provide access to Russian equipment, and develop positive relations that will provide peace and security in Southeast Asia. As part of our mission, the Russian Government would like to expand Vietnam's defensive infrastructure and have a permanent presence in the region. Russia would like to acquire access to Yên Bái Air Base, Bien Hoa Air Base, and An Thoi Naval Base. In addition to our presence, the Russian Government would like to develop these bases to host a greater number of Russian assets including SIGINT and ELINT capabilities, and a permanent naval presence in the region. Russia expects to maintain a standard peacetime presence of under 5,000 Russian personnel in Viet Nam. However, that number can be bolstered to 25,000 during times of heightened emergency should it be required. Please find a rough breakdown below.
The Russian Government would also like to request that Viet Nam intervene to become a protecting power for Russia's diplomatic interests and consular services in Thailand. With the closure of Russia's Embassy, Russia looks to Viet Nam as a stable and historical partner to Russia. In addition to being a protected power, my Government hopes that Viet Nam will be a stable voice in Southeast Asia. One which Russia has historically relied on to keep stability in a region increasingly falling prey to Thailand's instability. The Russian Government would also like to sign a trade agreement with Viet Nam and cement economic ties between our two countries and build up on decades of economic growth spurred by Russo-Vietnamese cooperation. Lastly, I hope my Government can continue to use Viet Nam as a refueling point for its military operations in the wider Pacific as was agreed with your predecessor. A move which I believe will highlight our mutual relations and push it in a positive direction. I look forward to the prospect of working closely with you to build a foundation of trust and cooperation between our nations. If it is appropriate for your Government, Deputy Prime Minister Abramchenko, her security detail, and a Russian diplomatic & trade delegation can be in Hanoi at your earliest convenience. Please let me know an appropriate time to arrange this meeting. Regards, Lucie Albrecht Minister of Foreign Affairs Russian Federation |