Pancakes, vodka, ice hockey and friendship medals.

If ever two leaders wanted the world to see their 'bromance', it's Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping.

This week, in the far-flung east of Russia's vast territorial empire, the two men met again, reaffirming their friendship and presiding over joint war games involving no less than 300,000 soldiers.

The biggest Russian drills since the Soviet Union are not just a projection of Mr Putin's military might, but also a unified message to the West.

While sparsely-populated Mongolia is also taking part, it's the presence of Chinese warships and aircraft attracting the most attention.

"We will continue to make joint efforts to consolidate our traditional friendship, enhance our comprehensive cooperation, and to push the China-Russia relationship to new heights," Mr Xi said in Vladivostok, a Russian port city in the heart of north-east Asia.

Vladimir Putin's favourite sport — ice hockey — has proven a common bond with Xi Jinping over the years. ( AP: Mikhail Klimentyev (Kremlin Pool Photo) )

If his language sounded measured, the optics left no doubt about how close these two leaders want their countries to appear.

With aprons on, two of the world's most powerful men stepped into a makeshift kitchen to whip up some caviar blini (a type of pancake) — a reciprocal gesture after the pair made Chinese 'baozi' together in Tianjin three months ago.

They toasted vodka, traded jokes and when it was time for serious business, backed each other up.

Mr Putin agreed to "oppose unilateralism and trade protectionism", most likely at China's request.

Beijing is desperate, in the face of Donald Trump's tariffs, to rally international support, and his Russian counterpart obliged.

They toasted vodka, traded jokes and when it was time for serious business, backed each other up. ( AP: Sergei Bobylev/TASS )

Jacqueline Westermann, from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said the behaviour came despite China's reluctance to deem countries allies.

"I wouldn't say it's an alliance but it sends the message that they both consider each other as potential allies", she said.

"In the past the [Russian] distrust towards China was known, but the fact they now openly talk about having a trusting relationship sends a significant message."

But beneath the warmth, some analysts believe long-held mutual suspicions remain.

Mr Putin has professed support for Mr Xi's multi-billion dollar Belt and Road infrastructure plan, but must worry that a Chinese cash splash through Central Asia will dilute Russia's traditional influence there.

But with frosty relations to the West, he's increasingly turned eastwards for support.

Curtin University's Alexey Muraviev told the ABC's Matter of Fact program Russia wanted to show it was not perturbed by sanctions.

"The Russians want to showcase to the US, to NATO, to the West that sanctions are not working and Russia is not changing its strategic course," Dr Muraviev said.

At the peak of their Cold War tensions, Moscow amassed troops on the Chinese border and Beijing turned to the US for support amidst fears of a Russian attack.

But beneath the warmth, some analysts believe long-held mutual suspicions remain. ( AP: Kirill Kudryavtsev )

Back then, ideological tensions over communist orthodoxy and national interests tore the socialist neighbours apart.

Now it's near impossible to imagine a similar situation brewing.

But with both leaders hell bent on making their respective countries great again, it's likely they'll keep a wary eye on the other to make sure any gains in national strength and influence are not made at their own expense.