China embraces Russia diplomatically, but keeps Putin waiting on gas pipeline – Firstpost

Russian President Vladimir Putin left Beijing this week with warm words, ceremonial fanfare and more than 40 cooperation agreements in hand — but without the breakthrough energy deal Moscow had been seeking from Xi Jinping.

The failure to finalise the long-delayed
Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline underscored the increasingly uneven nature of the China-Russia partnership, even as both countries projected unity against what they described as a US-led global order.

During their summit in Beijing, Xi and Putin signed a broad package of agreements covering trade, technology, education, nuclear security and military cooperation, while issuing a joint statement criticising Western military interventions and “external destructive interference” in sovereign states.

Yet the absence of a concrete agreement on the multi-billion-dollar gas pipeline — a project Russia sees as critical to redirecting energy exports away from Europe — emerged as the most closely watched outcome of the visit.

The Kremlin acknowledged that the two sides had reached a “general understanding” on the project, with key details still unresolved.

Energy leverage shifts toward Beijing

The Power of Siberia 2 project has become strategically important for Moscow after Russian gas exports to Europe collapsed following the Ukraine war and subsequent Western sanctions.

The proposed pipeline, expected to transport up to 50 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually from Russia to China through Mongolia, would significantly expand existing energy ties between the two countries. It would build on the existing Power of Siberia 1 pipeline, which already supplies roughly 38 billion cubic metres of gas annually to China.

Russia had hoped the project would lock in long-term Chinese demand and help compensate for lost European markets. Beijing, however, has remained cautious about overdependence on a single supplier and has reportedly pushed for more favourable pricing and financing terms.

Talks have stalled repeatedly over disagreements involving gas pricing, investment structures and delivery timelines, despite the two sides signing a legally binding memorandum in September 2025 to advance the project.

Notably, while Xi described energy cooperation as the “ballast stone” of bilateral relations, he avoided directly mentioning the pipeline during the summit.

That omission reflected Beijing’s carefully calibrated approach: maintaining strong strategic ties with Moscow while preserving maximum negotiating leverage at a time when Russia’s economic options have narrowed sharply.

Partnership deepens — but asymmetry grows

The summit nevertheless reinforced how closely aligned Beijing and Moscow remain on geopolitical issues.

The two sides pledged to deepen military coordination through expanded joint exercises, maritime patrols and air patrol missions. Russia also reaffirmed support for China’s “One China” principle on Taiwan, while Beijing reiterated support for Russia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the context of the Ukraine conflict.

In a thinly veiled criticism of Washington, the joint statement condemned military strikes on third countries, political destabilisation efforts and unilateral interference in global trade routes and supply chains.

The reference appeared partly aimed at tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, where recent disruptions have heightened global energy security concerns.

Xi said China and Russia should work together to build a “more just and reasonable global governance system,” while Putin described bilateral relations as having reached an “unprecedented level.”

Still, the economic realities behind the rhetoric highlighted the growing imbalance between the two powers.

China is Russia’s largest trading partner and an increasingly vital economic lifeline for Moscow. But Russia accounts for only about 4 per cent of China’s total trade, giving Beijing significantly greater leverage in the relationship.

Analysts said the optics surrounding the visit also reflected China’s rising geopolitical confidence.

Putin’s trip came just days after US President Donald Trump visited Beijing, with Chinese authorities rolling out near-identical state ceremonies for both leaders, including red-carpet welcomes, military honours and a 21-gun salute outside the Great Hall of the People.