Russian President Vladimir Putin said on June 15, 2017 that he hopes the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative will start a new stage of cooperation in Eurasia and beyond.

This initiative is unique and successful, said Putin when answering a question raised by Xinhua after his annual "direct line" call-in session.

"The main thing that we must do is to unite our efforts within the frameworks of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Belt and Road Initiative," said Putin.

Putin expressed confidence that the two development plans will be connected as Russia and China "have many overlapping goals and complementary opportunities."

"I have no doubt that we will work together and this work will be effective and beneficial for the Chinese and Russian people as well as the global economy," he said.