Russia is pulling Vietnam into a bigger game with China that most people don’t see.
Russia and China appear to be closely aligned. But that alignment is only temporary.
Two ambitious powers sharing a common border cannot maintain peace indefinitely.
Conflict will return. It is not a question of if, but when.
Look at the map. Vietnam sits right next to China.
When that moment comes, Russia will use Vietnam as a strategic lever.
This is the real reason behind Russia’s continued supply of weapons and nuclear energy cooperation with Vietnam.
When a Russia–China conflict unfolds, Moscow will not need to persuade Hanoi.
It will simply activate what has already been put in place.
Vietnam will become a position from which pressure can be applied against China.
Perhaps even the starting point of a conflict few are willing to imagine.