Vietnam, for one, has fully embraced Russia in an effort to get allies to restrain China even as it continues on its own accord to pursue a diplomatic resolution of outstanding issues with China. Indeed, Vietnam’s partnerships with Moscow and Washington strengthen its leverage vis-à-vis Beijing, thereby enabling it to pursue both military and economic enhancement and diplomatic resolution of disputed issues. Thus, despite the allegedly deepening Sino-Russian friendship (at least against the US), in fact Russia has quietly but openly resisted Chinese encroachments in Southeast Asia and is forging a deeper military-political relationship with Vietnam.
I have no problem with Russia bolstering Vietnam to resist China. If we can settle down Putin in Europe, we can be big boys and defend our allies in Europe and help the enemies of our foes in Asia, at the very least, by working with Russia.
Heck, I'd still like to see Russia sell submarines to Taiwan--if Japan won't.
