Putin signs deals with Vietnam in bid to shore up ties in Asia

Vladimir Putin and Vietnamese president To Lam (Kristina Kormilitsyna, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Russian president Vladimir Putin has signed a series of deals with his Vietnamese counterpart To Lam during a state visit that comes as Moscow is seeking to bolster ties in Asia to offset growing international isolation over its military actions in Ukraine.

The two signed agreements to further co-operation on education, science and technology, oil and gas exploration and health.