The people and armed forces of Vietnam always acknowledge the great support of international friends in wartime, especially those from Russia , Ukraine and Belarus , a Vietnamese general said.

Deputy Defence Minister, Lieut. Gen Nguyen Chi Vinh received Russian, Ukrainian and Belarusian veterans, who assisted Vietnam during the anti-US war, at a meeting in Hanoi on May 13.

He noted that Vietnamese people and People’s Army had received wholehearted support from the former Soviet Union and socialist countries in the fight for national liberation.

Russia , Ukraine and Belarus dispatched thousands of military experts to help Vietnam gain the final victory in the resistance war against US imperialism, he said.

Vinh described the visit to Vietnam , which was being made at the invitation of the Vietnam Ministry of National Defence, as a chance for the veterans to witness the war-hit country’s changes as well as its achievements in the cause of national defence and construction.

He expressed his hope that the veterans would continue to share their combat experience with soldiers of Vietnam People’s Army, to further enhance mutual understanding, traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries’ people and armies, the Lieut. Gen concluded./.