Putin heads to China as ties with West sink

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin heads to China on Tuesday to shore up eastern ties as relations with the West plunge to new lows over the Ukraine crisis.

During a two-day visit to Shanghai, Putin and Chinese host Xi Jinping will seek to clinch a raft of agreements including a landmark gas deal crucial for Moscow as Europe seeks to cut reliance on Russian oil and gas.The two leaders will also take part in a regional security forum and oversee the start of joint naval exercises off Shanghai in the East China Sea.