INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted invitations to visit Thailand and Vietnam, according to government statements from the two
Southeast Asian nations.Russia's invasion of Ukraine has thrown Putin into international isolation, leaving him with few allies.The
International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Putin over the alleged deportations of thousands of Ukrainian children to
strong relationship with Russia since the days of the Soviet Union.President Vo Van Thuong invited Putin to visit Vietnam "soon," and Putin
"happily" accepted the invitation, according to a Tuesday statement on the government's website.Meanwhile, Thai Prime Minister Srettha
Thavisin invited Putin for an official visit next year, he said in Beijing on Wednesday.Both Srettha and Thuong met Putin on the sidelines
of China's Belt and Road Initiative forum."I invited him to visit Thailand next year," Srettha said."President Putin likes Phuket, I
understand he travels often," he said, referring to the Thai resort island.According to a Thai government statement, Putin has accepted the
invitation, but a date has yet to be set.During the meeting with Srettha, Putin lamented a decline in bilateral trade due to a "turbulent
international situation," according to the TASS Russian news agency.More than 1 million Russians visited tourism-dependent Thailand this
from 30 days.Thailand joined China and India in abstaining at a UN General Assembly vote last year to condemn Russia's annexation of parts
of Ukraine.Vietnam's government website said Thuong and Putin discussed promoting economic and trade cooperation.Russia is a top arms
