Russian President Vladimir Putin traveled to Beijing in May seeking Chinese approval for the 'Power of Siberia 2' gas pipeline, but returned without a deal after a cold reception, the Wall Street Journal reports in an extensive article. According to the report, China conditioned approval on Russia effectively subsidizing the project by selling gas at exceptionally low prices. The report also says President Xi Jinping dislikes the growing Russia-North Korea rapprochement and fears the capabilities Moscow is transferring to Pyongyang.
The Wall Street Journal published an extensive report on the evolving Russia-China dynamic, detailing how Moscow has become almost entirely dependent on Beijing since the start of the Ukraine war. The centerpiece of the article is Putin's state visit to China in May, where his primary objective was securing Chinese agreement for the 'Power of Siberia 2' pipeline — a project Russia has pursued for two decades.
According to the Journal, the Chinese response was cool to the point of humiliating: Beijing signaled it would not sign the agreement unless Russia effectively subsidizes the project by selling natural gas at exceptionally low prices. Putin and his delegation returned without a tangible achievement.
The report also sheds light on Xi Jinping's reservations about the growing Russia-North Korea axis. Xi reportedly dislikes Moscow's rapprochement with Pyongyang and fears the capabilities Russia is transferring to North Korea. When Putin proposed a three-way summit with Kim Jong Un, Xi refused and instead met Kim bilaterally — a move the Journal frames as Beijing asserting its role as North Korea's patron over Moscow's. The article is drawn from the Journal's reporting; The Zioneer has not independently confirmed the details.
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