Russian President Vladimir Putin has met Chinese defense minister Li Shangfu in Moscow. He hailed military cooperation between the two countries.

The meeting was held at the Kremlin on Sunday. Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu also attended.

At the onset of the talks, Putin said Russia and China regularly exchange useful information, work together in the field of military-technical cooperation, and hold joint exercises in the Far East and Europe, and at sea, on land, and in the air.

Russia's state-run news agency reports that Li responded by saying the countries' relations "outperform the military-political unions of the Cold War era."

Li is scheduled to hold talks with senior military officials and visit a military academy during his visit from Sunday to Wednesday.

The two countries are apparently keen to highlight the strength of their relations to counter pressure from the United States and other nations.

Russian forces in Ukraine are reportedly facing a shortage of arms. Kyiv and Western countries are concerned that Beijing may decide to supply weapons to Russia.