Will Putin’s China visit help re-energise a dormant pipeline project?

Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to bring up the signature Power of Siberia 2 pipeline on a coming China visit

Progress has been slow, with China’s Russia ties coming under heavy scrutiny from US and EU; analysts say delays show China putting own interests first

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The Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, a major project to transport natural gas from Russia to China, has seen progress stall in recent years. Photo: TNS

Published: 8:00pm, 12 May 2024

During his state visit to China – set for later this month – Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to broach an important subject with his counterpart, Xi Jinping: the Power of Siberia 2 natural gas pipeline, a project that appears to have stalled.

The natural gas pipeline, designed to connect Russia and China via Mongolia, is a signature project symbolising the “no-limits” strategic partnership between Beijing and Moscow. If completed, it would divert 50 billion cubic metres (1.8 trillion cubic feet) of natural gas per year to north China, redirecting a supply that once went to Europe.

Any progress in the project would be an effective gauge of the state of their bilateral relations, carefully scrutinised by the European Union and United States since the outbreak of war in Ukraine and a potential trigger point for new rounds of sanctions.

“It’s the elephant in the room”, said a Russian source who has knowledge of the issue and requested anonymity due to the project’s sensitivity.

The project matters a great deal to Putin, who just started his third consecutive presidential term, but it remains unclear whether he can coax it back to life.

Within Russia, the project continues to be a subject of ample attention – and some anxiety. News agency IA REX said on Wednesday that the project “remained in the shadows”, citing speculation that “Beijing did not need the project” or there were disagreements over price.

Munkhnaran Bayarlkhagva, a former official at Mongolia’s National Security Council, said discussion on construction of the Power of Siberia 2 is in “a weird limbo”.