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Russian President Vladimir Putin has welcomed China’s plan to settle the ‘acute crisis’ in Ukraine, at the start of talks with Xi Jinping at the Kremlin.

Mr Putin met with the Chinese leader as he flew into Russia for a high-profile visit in the following days.

Last week the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for the arrest of Mr Putin, but the President defied this and made trips to Crimea and Mariupol over the weekend.

Observers have argued that the fighting in Ukraine has made Russia increasingly dependent on China for support as the country becomes isolated from the West.

Mr Jinping was greeted at Vnukovo airport by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko, as he touched down.

President Vladimir Putin was not waiting at the end of the red carpet to greet Chinese leader Xi Jinping when he arrived in Russia for a high-profile visit on Monday, but it was not a snub.

Mr Putin, meanwhile, was far away in central Moscow, busy with other commitments before his high-stakes dinner with the Chinese leader later this evening.

He began his day by making an appearance at a meeting of the Interior Ministry’s top officials, and also addressed a parliamentary conference involving politicians from African nations.

At the airport, Mr Xi listened as a Russian military band played the national anthems of China and Russia. He then walked past a line of honorary guards accompanied by Mr Chernyshenko.

The Russian leader earlier showered his Chinese guest with praise in an article published in China’s top People’s Daily newspaper.

He described Mr Xi’s visit as a ‘landmark event’, saying it offers a ‘great opportunity for me to meet with my good old friend with whom we enjoy the warmest relationship’.

He also wrote in detail about their first meeting in 2010, adding that he and Mr Xi have met about 40 times and citing a line from Chinese philosopher Confucius: ‘Is it not a joy to have friends coming from afar!’

After Monday’s private dinner, Mr Putin and Mr Xi will hold official talks on Tuesday that will also be attended by top officials from both countries.

They are expected to issue conclusive statements after the negotiations.

Analysts say that Western sanctions have made Russia increasingly reliant on China.

Alexander Gabuev a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment who has long studied Russia-China ties said ‘This relationship is increasingly asymmetrical – China has much more leverage.’

He noted that Mr Xi could be expected to maintain strong support for Mr Putin amid mounting Western pressure.

He said: ‘The reality is that China sees absolutely no upsides in dumping Vladimir Putin, because there will be no incentives or no points earned in the relationship with the US.’

While others say that Beijing will be unlikely to offer Moscow military assistance as the US and other Western allies fear, the alliance with Beijing would allow the Russian leader to pursue his course in Ukraine.

Mr Putin also spoke today and said that deepening ties between Russia and Africa was a key goal for the Kremlin, as Moscow seeks to expand its influence on the continent.

He added that Russia would continue supplying the continent with grain if Moscow exits a landmark agreement with Ukraine to allow exports from the country’s Black Sea ports.

Putin said: ‘Let me emphasise that our country has always given — and will continue to give — priority to cooperation with African states.’

‘If we decide not to extend this deal after 60 days, then we are ready to supply free of charge the volumes that were sent to the countries most in need in Africa.’

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