Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attends a joint news conference with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Carlos Faria in Moscow, Russia July 4, 2022. REUTERS
HANOI 鈥� Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday called on all parties in the world to make efforts to protect international laws as 鈥渢he world is evolving in a complicated manner.鈥�
Lavrov was speaking though a translator at a meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son in Hanoi.
His comments come as Russia has been accused by Western countries of breaching international law through its invasion of Ukraine. European Union leaders have urged Moscow to abide by an order by the international court of justice telling Russia to withdraw from Ukraine.
鈥淰ietnam is a key partner (of Russia) in Asean鈥nd the two countries鈥� relations are based on history and their common fight for justice,鈥� Lavrov said at the meeting, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Vietnam and Russia have close ties dating back to the Soviet era and Hanoi has not so far condemned Russia鈥檚 war in Ukraine, which Moscow calls a 鈥渟pecial operation鈥�.
Lavrov鈥檚 visit to Hanoi comes as the two nations mark the 10th anniversary of their 鈥渃omprehensive strategic partnership鈥�.
The Russian foreign minister is due to fly on to Indonesia to attend a meeting of G20 foreign ministers this week.
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