The upcoming state visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Vietnam on June 19-20 demonstrates the Eurasian nation’s keen interest in strengthening the bilateral relations, Dr. Ivan Nikolaievich Timofeev, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC), has said.

The website of the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) has recently run an article by Valeria Vershinina, an expert on Vietnamese studies, appreciating the role and potential of Vietnam in Russia’s foreign policy.

The prospect of the ASEAN-Russia ties was at centre of attention at a recent round-table conference held by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC).

Vietnam has become a natural partner of Russia in its look-east policy for various reasons, said Ivan Timofeev, Director of Programmes at the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC), in an interview with the Vietnam News Agency on October 9.