Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday described international relations as "difficult" during his meeting with top diplomat Wang Yi.

"In this regard, the cooperation on the international arena between The People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation, as we stressed more than once, has a very big significance for the stabilisation of the international situation," Putin noted.

Putin also said Moscow was waiting for President Xi Jinping to visit Russia.

The visit by Wang Yi, the Communist Party's most senior foreign policy official, comes as the conflict in Ukraine continues.

Beijing is expected to reveal its own "political solution" to the Ukraine conflict this week. Mainland authorities have sought to position itself as a neutral party, while maintaining close ties with its ally Russia.

Before meeting with Putin, Wang held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. (AP/AFP)