In his remarks, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien emphasized the enduring relationship between Vietnam and the former Soviet Union, now Russia, which has stood the test of time and historical changes. He highlighted the invaluable support provided by the Soviet people to Vietnam during its struggle for independence and reunification. The enduring friendship serves as a solid foundation for the current comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia.
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Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien (left) shake hands with a Russian veteran. |
On behalf of the Vietnamese Party, State, people, and the Vietnam People's Army, the Deputy Defense Minister expressed deep gratitude for the support of the Soviet Union in the past. He noted that Vietnam’s Central Military Commission and Ministry of National Defense have carried out various meaningful activities to pay tribute to Russian veterans.
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Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien delivers a remark at the meeting. |
Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien wished the veterans and their families good health and encouraged them to continue fostering the traditional friendship between the two countries. He encouraged veterans to share any historical documents or artifacts from their time supporting Vietnam, as these are valuable resources for preserving the memory of the 70-year-long relationship between Vietnam and Russia.
Additionally, he extended an invitation to the Russian veterans to visit Vietnam to attend celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam People's Army and the 35th Whole-people Defense Festive Day. He hoped they could revisit the country where they had experienced challenging yet proud and heroic years.
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Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien with Russian veterans |
Mr. Nikolai Nikolaevich Kolesnik, a Russian veteran who served in Vietnam in 1965 and 1966, expressed his heartfelt emotions upon meeting the Vietnamese delegation. He shared that his time working alongside Vietnamese comrades during the war remains vivid in his memory.
During the event, Russian veterans expressed their affection for Vietnam and its people and their hopes for the continued development of the Vietnam-Russia partnership.
* Later the day, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien and the Vietnamese delegation visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Russia. He praised the Embassy's contribution to strengthening Vietnam-Russia relations and thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, particularly the Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia, for their close collaboration in enhancing bilateral defense ties between the two countries.
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Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien with Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi |
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The Vietnamese defense ministry's delegation and the staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in Russia |
The Deputy Defense Minister called for continued support from the Embassy, especially from Ambassador Dang Minh Khoi, in deepening the Vietnam-Russia defense cooperation, ensuring it becomes more substantive, effective, and beneficial to the bilateral relationship.
Translated by Trung Thanh