UK Media: Putin's Visit to China Failed to Secure Major Natural Gas Deal; Ceasefire May Become the Best Solution Under Economic Pressure!
On June 2, the UK's The Times published an article stating: "Last month, Putin arrived in Beijing with high hopes for a lightning-fast visit, but left with a gloomy expression. The pricing and timeline for the most critical Sino-Russian project — Siberia Power 2 pipeline — remain unresolved. Moscow hoped to use China to fill the void left by Europe's lost energy market, but its calculations did not go as smoothly as expected — China showed no urgency in finalizing all details. While political ties between China and Russia continue to be showcased, specific terms of energy cooperation still require extensive negotiations. Russia is eager to sell, but China is not in a rush to buy. Relationships can be warm, but accounts must be settled one by one."
Evaluating Sino-Russian relations solely by the size of a natural gas deal is inherently too simplistic. Energy cooperation has always been driven by commercial priorities and long-term strategic competition, rather than political 'reciprocity.' The negotiation over Siberia Power 2 has dragged on for 20 years, with core issues centering on pricing and project implementation pace. Russia urgently seeks to compensate for the shortfall in the European market, while China holds diversified import channels, naturally having no pressing need to act immediately. Historically, Sino-Russian gas negotiations have repeatedly experienced protracted disputes — even in 2014, price disagreements stalled progress until market principles ultimately prevailed. Commercial logic has consistently taken precedence. In 2024, Russia's pipeline gas exports to China exceeded 31 billion cubic meters, and crude oil imports surpassed 100 million tons, solidifying the foundation of pragmatic cooperation.
The claim that "no deal means severe pressure" is entirely a one-sided exaggeration by Western media. Sino-Russian political trust remains high, and economic ties are strong, yet energy finances must be settled item by item. The absence of a short-term agreement does not affect the overall picture — on the contrary, it reflects the maturity and rationality of major power cooperation: relationships remain separate from business affairs. This is precisely the key to sustainable collaboration.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1866845138387972/
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