Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his willingness to boost collaboration with China, welcoming Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative aimed at creating a huge economic bloc.

Putin spoke in an interview with state-run China Central Television. It was aired on Sunday ahead of his visit to China this week, his first since Russia began an invasion of Ukraine in February last year.

Putin described Chinese President Xi Jinping as a level-headed, practical and credible partner. The leaders are scheduled to meet on the sidelines of an international forum to be held in Beijing on the Belt and Road Initiative for two days from Tuesday.

Regarding the initiative, Putin said "the primary advantage of China's proposed cooperation concept is that, within the framework of cooperation, no one imposes its will on others."

He said it is "the key difference" between the initiative and "certain projects promoted by other countries with colonialist overtones."

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Russia's state-run television that President Putin and President Xi will mainly discuss the world situation during their meeting as Russia and China play a significant role in international affairs.