Putin: Initiative is 'correct top-level design'

Russian President Vladimir Putin has called the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative "a correct top-level design" and said it has made marked progress "because it aims to bring together the efforts of various countries to realize the goal of common development".

Putin made the remarks in a recent interview with China Media Group ahead of his visit to China to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, which will be held in Beijing on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Calling the BRI a timely step, Putin said that Russia welcomes the initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping and is willing to work together with China to promote its implementation.