What was the outcome of Putin's Beijing visit regarding the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline?

Putin left Beijing with no breakthrough on the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline; while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claimed there was 'an understanding regarding all the key parameters' and only 'some details left to be finalized', no agreement on critical issues like pricing and volume flexibility was reached, and no timeframe for the project was determined.

Why is the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline strategically important for Russia and China?

For Russia, the pipeline would provide a massive alternative market for gas exports after sales to Europe were largely cut off due to sanctions over the war in Ukraine, helping offset economic strain; for China, it would supply up to 50 billion cubic meters annually—over 10% of its current demand—from western Siberian fields, though Beijing remains wary of overdependence on Russia as a single gas supplier.

Putin Leaves Beijing With Little Progress on Key Gas Pipeline

May 20, 2026

Russian President Vladimir Putin departed Beijing without finalizing the Power of Siberia 2 natural gas pipeline deal due to unresolved pricing and volume terms. The stalled negotiations highlight ongoing challenges in expanding Russia-China energy cooperation amidst geopolitical tensions.

bloomberg

2026-05-18

Putin Aims to Unlock Gas Pipeline Project to China in Xi Talks

2026-05-20

Putin Leaves Beijing With Little Progress on Key Gas Pipeline

2026-06-04

Putin Urges Germany to Decide on Resuming Russian Gas Supplies via Nord Stream

Putin Leaves Beijing With Little Progress on Key Gas Pipeline

FAQ