Russia and China Poised to Sign Power of Siberia-2 Pipeline Deal Soon: Novak
MOSCOW, May 17 — Russia and China are expected to finalize a long-anticipated contract for the Power of Siberia-2 gas pipeline in the near future, according to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, as reported by Interfax late Thursday.
The proposed pipeline, designed to transport up to 50 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually, would stretch from Russia’s Yamal region to China through Mongolian territory. Discussions over the massive infrastructure project have been ongoing for years but have gained momentum amid Moscow’s efforts to redirect energy exports toward Asia in the wake of reduced demand from Europe.
Novak, who leads Russia’s energy policy and is currently visiting China with the official Russian delegation, confirmed progress on the project during a state TV broadcast. “We are nearing the completion of the review process and plan to sign the construction agreement soon,” he said, referring to the Power of Siberia-2 project.
While Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller is not part of the delegation, President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have both reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening strategic ties during this trip. The pipeline deal represents a cornerstone of broader efforts to deepen economic cooperation between the two nations.
Novak also mentioned ongoing collaboration between Russia and China on other potential energy initiatives. “We’re working together on additional new projects,” he added.
The new 2,600-kilometer pipeline would serve as a strategic counterpart to the now-inoperative Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which formerly supplied gas to Europe via the Baltic Sea. It complements the existing Power of Siberia 1 pipeline, which runs over 3,000 kilometers through Siberia to northeastern China.
With Europe significantly reducing its reliance on Russian gas, Moscow is increasingly looking eastward to cement China as its primary energy partner.