As Russia’s military last week launched globe-spanning drills widely seen as a show of strength directed at the United States, President Vladimir Putin made clear which country he sees as standing by Moscow’s side.

Russia and China on Saturday began their joint naval military exercise in the Sea of Japan. "A joint group of warships of the Pacific Fleet and the Chinese Navy sailed from Vladivostok to conduct a joint Russian-Chinese naval exercise Beibu/Interaction - 2024," the press service of the Russian Pacific Fleet said in a statement.

China Coast Guard ships Meishan and Xiushan have arrived in Russia's Far East port of Vladivostok to conduct joint exercises and patrols with their Russian counterparts, RIA state news agency reported on Tuesday.