Putin's visit to the Chinese capital ended on Wednesday, and the failure to finalize talks on the Power of Siberia 2 project became one of its key results.
Read also: What didn't Vladimir Putin get done in China? “He once again failed to convince Xi Jinping”
Plans to expand gas exports to China
Russian gas has been exported to the Chinese market since 2019 via the existing Power of Siberia gas pipeline. The second line of this pipeline, the construction of which is under dispute, would transmit up to 50 billion cubic meters annually. raw material. The route would lead from the Yamal Peninsula in western Siberia through the territory of Mongolia to recipients in the Middle Kingdom.
The scale of current deliveries shows how important this direction is for the Kremlin. Today, China buys approximately 40 billion cubic meters from Russia. gas per year. The implementation of the new investment would more than double the volume of transmitted raw material.
The fiasco of Vladimir Putin's gas contract with Xi Jinping
Despite previous announcements from the Russian side, Putin once again failed to convince the Chinese leader to sign the agreement. This situation – as assessed by the American daily – once again shows “the importance and limitations of Russia's growing dependence on energy sales to China.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday that the parties had agreed on the “general parameters” of the Power of Siberia 2 project, but “some details still need to be agreed.” Earlier, before Putin's visit to Beijing on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Kremlin announced that this gas pipeline would be among the main topics of talks between the two politicians.
Unity of Moscow and Beijing towards the USA
The Washington Post noted that Putin's meeting with Xi showed the common position of both leaders on several geopolitical issues. The leaders unanimously oppose US domination and criticize American military actions against Iran. Beijing also provides support to Moscow during its armed aggression against Ukraine.
Read also: The Chinese leader told Donald Trump the truth about Putin. A proposal for cooperation was made
The lack of a gas agreement and the issue of supplies of components to Ukraine show the asymmetry of the relations between the two powers. Citing analysts, the Washington newspaper points to the Kremlin's serious concerns about China becoming an increasingly important supplier of components used by Ukraine in the production of unmanned aerial vehicles. The development of this segment of Chinese exports weakens Russia's capabilities on the front and raises clear concern in Moscow.
