STORY: Vietnam rolled out the red carpet for Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday in the capital Hanoi...
During the visit -- now seen as a show of defiance to the West -- Putin said he wants to build a quote, "reliable security architecture" in the Asia-Pacific region.
The two countries signed multiple agreements on issues including energy...
Although none of the 11 pacts were on the same level as the mutual defense agreement Russia signed with North Korea the day before.
Vietnam's President To Lam said Vietnam will always consider Russia as one of its most important partners... and that Putin had contributed to peace and stability in the world.
Russia's TASS news agency quoted Putin as saying the two countries shared an interest in quote, "developing a reliable security architecture" in the region.
During a news conference, he accused the NATO military alliance of creating a security threat for Russia in Asia.
"We see what is happening in Asia: a bloc system is being put together. NATO is already "moving" there (to Asia) as if to a permanent place of residence," he said.
The U.S. and its allies have criticized Putin's visit... saying he should not be given a stage on which to defend Russia's war in Ukraine.
The Russian leader has an outstanding International Criminal Court warrant over alleged war crimes in Ukraine, which he denies.
Neither Russia nor Vietnam are members of the court.
The U.S. is Vietnam's top export market, and upgraded diplomatic relations with the country last year.
For its part, the U.S. State Department said a top diplomat will visit Vietnam this week to stress Washington's commitment to working with Hanoi.
