MOSCOW, Dec. 31 -- Cooperation between Russia and China in 2014 has seen breakthrough in numerous spheres despite global economic and political unrest, a senior Russian diplomat said Wednesday.

"The two countries have enhanced mutual understanding and trust ... The presidents met five times this year," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov told Xinhua.

Pragmatic cooperation between the two sides was also impressive, he said, citing improvement in cooperation mechanisms as well as the record high of 14 meetings at the vice premier level.

Official estimates have shown that the bilateral trade volume in 2014 could exceed 90 billion U.S. dollars, Morgulov said, recalling both leaders' pledge to raise the volume to 100 billion dollars in 2015 and 200 billion dollars in 2020.

"We are more than confident to reach the goals," he said.

Hailing major deals and agreements reached this year, Morgulov noted that "it's no exaggeration to say the two countries have taken a historic step in energy cooperation."

During Russian President Vladimir Putin's official visit to China in May, the two sides signed a 30-year gas supply contract that will see the East-Route Pipeline start providing China with 38 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually from 2018. In November, the two countries reached a framework agreement on the West-Route Pipeline project.

"For Russia, the implementation of such major projects remains a priority in the future," Morgulov said.

Cooperations in financial, aircraft manufacturing, space and hi-tech spheres have also been accelerated in 2014, he said, adding the two countries have broadened the scale of local currency settlement.

China is not only a major strategic partner for Russia in economy, but also in politics, the diplomat noted.

Speaking of the unsettled Ukraine crisis and Western sanctions against Russia over the issue, Morgulov said it's evidential that "successful economic cooperation and stable pragmatic interaction could fall into the cost of geopolitical ambitions."

Russia has been waiting for the West to take concrete measures to resume equal dialogues, and is ready to jointly overcome current disputes based on principles of mutual benefit as well as international law, he said.

The diplomat also praised China for its "prudent" approach to the Ukraine issue, and both Moscow and Beijing stand for peaceful and political ways to resolve the problems in a comprehensive, stable and balanced manner.

"The diplomatic coordination between Russia and China is a major stability factor in world politics, with both sides supporting reasonable and pragmatic ways to address international affairs," Morgulov said.