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HANOI (Reuters) – The USA criticised Vietnam for having invited Russia’s President Vladimir Putin to Hanoi, the U.S. embassy in Hanoi mentioned forward of an anticipated state go to this week.
Putin is predicted to go to Vietnam on Wednesday and Thursday, after repeated invites from Vietnamese leaders.
The U.S. has led Western sanctions on Russia following its invasion of neighbouring Ukraine in February 2022. In March final 12 months, the Hague-based Worldwide Prison Court docket’s (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for the Russian president over alleged conflict crimes in Ukraine.
“No nation ought to give Putin a platform to advertise his conflict of aggression and in any other case permit him to normalize his atrocities,” a spokesperson for the U.S. embassy in Hanoi mentioned when requested in regards to the impression of the anticipated go to on ties with the US.
“If he is ready to journey freely, it might normalize Russia’s blatant violations of worldwide regulation,” the spokesperson added, referring to the invasion that Russia describes as a “particular operation”.
The U.S. upgraded relations with Hanoi final 12 months and is Vietnam’s prime buying and selling associate.
Vietnam’s overseas ministry didn’t reply to a request for remark.
Putin’s go to has not but been formally introduced, however a number of officers have confirmed the journey, which might be his first to Vietnam since 2017. The 2 international locations have traditionally shut ties.
“We can not return to enterprise as standard or flip a blind eye to the clear violations of worldwide regulation Russia has dedicated in Ukraine. There must be accountability for these liable for conflict crimes,” the U.S. embassy spokesperson added.
Neither Vietnam, Russia or the U.S. are members of the ICC.
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