Russian President Vladimir Putin held a working meeting with Chinese Defense Minister Li Sangfu in Moscow today and hailed the military cooperation of the two countries which have announced a “borderless” partnership.

In the footage released by the Kremlin, Putin shakes hands with Lee and then the two sit down at a table. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu was also present.

“The development of relations between our two nations is going well in all areas – economic, social, cultural and educational, as well as in the military departments,” Putin said. “We regularly exchange useful information, cooperate in the field of military-technological cooperation and conduct joint gymnasiums,” he added, clarifying that in these exercises, in the Far East and Europe, forces of the navy, air force and ground army participated. “Undoubtedly, this is another critical area that strengthens the strategic importance of our relations,” the Russian president said.

This was Lee’s first overseas visit since taking office last month. The US imposed sanctions on it in 2018 over the purchase of fighter jets and equipment from Russian arms exporter Rosoboronexport.

“In recent years, cooperation between Russia and China in the military and technological fields has been developing very well,” the Chinese minister replied to Putin, noting that this fact helps strengthen regional security. “We have very strong ties that go beyond the military-political alliances of the Cold War era” and are “very stable,” he added, according to a translation of his remarks by Russian television.

Beijing had been announcing Li’s visit since last week, saying he was to meet with defense officials, but without any mention of Putin.

Last month, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Putin in Moscow.