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.

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.

Moscow's relations with the United States and European Union have dived to a post-Cold War low in recent months over Russia's seizure of Crimea and Western accusations the Kremlin is fomenting unrest in the east of Ukraine.

Amid the showdown the China trip -- previously billed as a visit with a heavy focus on energy ties -- has acquired new symbolism, analysts said.

Putin will be joined by a delegation including dozens of business tycoons and regional leaders and will oversee the signing of some 30 agreements, his top foreign adviser Yury Ushakov said.