Moscow, September 10, 2026 – The Europe Today: General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and President Tô Lâm has been awarded the 2026 Lev Tolstoy International Peace Prize at a ceremony held at the Kremlin in Moscow.
The ceremony was attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin, and Chairwoman of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko.
Addressing the ceremony, President Putin expressed Russia’s deep respect for the Vietnamese people, praising their determination and courage in overcoming the challenges of their struggle for national liberation.
Putin said the Vietnamese people’s strong appreciation for peace, friendship, labour and creativity closely corresponds with the humanist philosophy of renowned Russian writer Lev Tolstoy.
The Russian president welcomed the decision of the Lev Tolstoy International Peace Prize Council to honour Tô Lâm, describing him as a respected and visionary political leader and a patriot dedicated to serving his country and protecting its national interests.
Putin also praised Tô Lâm’s domestic and foreign policies, saying they had contributed to strengthening an independent, sovereign, stable and secure Viet Nam and enhancing its standing in Asia and the wider international community.
He said the award recognised Tô Lâm’s significant contribution to strengthening friendship and mutual understanding between Russia and Viet Nam, as well as his efforts to advance the two countries’ Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
According to Putin, these efforts have contributed to the development of economic, cultural and people-to-people ties between Russia and Viet Nam.
In a solemn and cordial atmosphere, the Chair of the Lev Tolstoy International Peace Prize Council formally presented the 2026 award to President Tô Lâm.
Accepting the honour, Tô Lâm said the prize represented not only recognition of his personal contributions but also an acknowledgement of the Vietnamese people’s longstanding commitment to peace and Viet Nam’s foreign policy principles based on independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development.
He reaffirmed Viet Nam’s commitment to working with the international community to promote dialogue, strengthen mutual understanding and trust, and resolve differences and disputes through peaceful means in accordance with the United Nations Charter and international law.
Tô Lâm said Viet Nam would continue making active contributions to international efforts to build a world characterised by peace, stability and sustainable development.
The Lev Tolstoy International Peace Prize was initiated in Russia to honour individuals and organisations that have made outstanding contributions to peace, security, cooperation and mutual understanding among peoples.
The Lev Tolstoy International Peace Prize Foundation was established by the Russian Historical Society, the Russian Peace Foundation and the Russian Military Historical Society. The award recognises outstanding efforts to promote common security and equality based on international law, prevent wars and nuclear disasters, advance a multipolar and non-violent world, and strengthen understanding, trust, peace and cooperation among peoples.
The first prize, awarded for 2023–2024, was presented to the African Union in recognition of its contribution to advancing peace. In 2025, the award was presented to the presidents of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
