Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on the 21st that the two countries have reached a substantive agreement on plans to build the “Power of Siberia-2” pipeline that will transport Russian gas to China.
“We just discussed a good project,” Putin said after an official meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Kremlin. told the media.
The new pipeline will then see “a steady supply of 50 billion cubic meters of gas from Russia (to China),” Putin added.
The ‘Power of Siberia-2’ pipeline construction plan is to build one more large-scale pipeline like the ‘Power of Siberia’ opened in December 2019.
See also: Russia-China ‘Power of Siberia’ gas pipeline opened
It set a goal of supplying 50 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually from Russia to China via Mongolia.
Russia has proposed a related business plan to China several years ago.
Russia is in a situation where it is trying to find a way out by exporting to China, especially after energy trade was blocked after the invasion of Ukraine in February last year.
■ Energy ‘Strategic Supplier’
President Putin emphasized on the same day (21st) that the agreement confirmed that Russia is a ‘strategic supplier’ of oil, gas and coal to China.
“I am confident that our (China-Russia) multilateral cooperation will continue to develop for the benefit of the people of our country,” he said.
In response, President Xi responded, saying, “(Both countries) cooperation is progressing,” and that the two countries should join forces more closely to promote greater substantive cooperation.
■ Announcement of joint statement following small number and expansion talks
The official China-Russia summit that day was first held with a small number of people attending only the two leaders and some of the delegations from the two countries.
This was followed by enlarged talks joined by the rest of the delegation.
The Russian delegation was reported to be centered around the security line, including Vice Chairman of the National Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
It is at this point that we can see that the war in Ukraine is the main agenda.
In addition, Deputy Prime Ministers, including First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov, also participated in the delegation, and Yelvira Nabiulina, Governor of the Central Bank of Russia, was named and attracted attention.
See also: Russia “Does not supply oil to countries participating in the oil price cap, oil prices will rise”… Signing an agreement to resume grain exports to Ukraine
After the talks, the two leaders will hold a joint statement ceremony along with a signing ceremony on the agreements. Then, a state dinner to welcome President Xi will be held.
Major media reported that the Ukraine crisis is expected to be discussed in detail later this afternoon.
At the one-on-one informal summit held the previous day (20th), it was reported that President Putin explained in detail Russia’s position on the Ukrainian situation to President Xi.
In all of the unofficial talks released to the media, Xi reaffirmed his support for peace talks to end the war in Ukraine and said he would “continue to play a constructive role in promoting a political resolution of the Ukrainian issue.”
In response, Putin said he respects China’s proposal.
Xi also invited Putin to visit China later this year, Xinhua reported.
■ China, Ukraine Crisis Arbitrator
China recently assumed a mediating role in resolving the Ukraine crisis.
Xi is said to be speaking with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after meeting with Putin.
In the midst of this, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Irina Bereshuk said in an interview with the Italian daily Corriere della Sera on the 21st that she “doesn’t know” whether a phone call between the two leaders will take place, and that she is “waiting for confirmation.”
“Ukraine is closely monitoring the visit of the Chinese President to Russia,” Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko said in a statement on the 20th.
“I hope China will use its influence to end Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine,” he added.
“We (Ukraine) are ready to engage in closer dialogue with China for the restoration of peace in Ukraine, in accordance with the principles set out in the UN Charter and the recent UN General Assembly resolution on this issue,” he said.
In this regard, on the 17th, ahead of President Xi’s trip to Russia, Chinese Foreign Minister and State Councilor Qin Gang and Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleva had a phone call.
This is VOA News Jongsu Oh.
