President Putin said that the Russian-China military alliance could form in the future, when tensions between the two countries increase with the US.

"We do not need it yet, but theoretically, it is possible to envision such a coalition," Russian President Vladimir Putin answered the question of whether it was possible to form a coalition.

Observers say that Putin's statement is a sign that Russia-China relations will deepen, amid rising tensions between the two countries.

Russia and China have always praised the "strategic partnership" between the two countries, but have so far rejected any discussions about the possibility of a military alliance.

Putin pointed to the drills conducted by the Russian and Chinese armed forces as a sign of the growing military cooperation between the two countries.

"Without a doubt, our cooperation with China is strengthening the Chinese military's defenses," he said, adding that the military relations between the two countries could be closer in

"Time will show how it will develop," the Russian president said, noting "we do not rule out" the possibility of forming an alliance.

Russia and China have sought to move closer together when relations between Moscow and the West fell to their lowest level after the Cold War due to a series of issues such as Russia's annexation of the Crimean peninsula, allegations of interfering in the general election.