Putin meets Li in Moscow, energy agreements signed

Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the close ties between Moscow and Beijing at a Wednesday meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang that was preceded by the signing of bilateral agreements in the energy sector.

"Our countries have worked out long-term joint plans, both in the economic and humanitarian spheres," Putin was quoted as saying by the state agency TASS.

"Our trade relations are developing successfully," Putin also said, according to the Interfax agency. "The attention that both governments pay to economic and trade relations shows their results."

Prior to meeting with Putin, Li held talks with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. Putin said Mishustin and Li "signed a series of bilateral agreements aimed at improving our cooperation" with the main focus on energy.

Mishustin said Russia was already China's largest oil supplier and "in the near future, we will also take first place for natural gas."

Putin last visited China in May. The two countries share an antagonism towards the West and have grown closer in recent years and declared a strategic partnership.

Nevertheless, many observers believe that the economic superpower China has the upper hand in this alliance, leaving Russia with the role of raw materials supplier and junior partner.