Putin visits Mongolia to establish key link in gas pipeline planned for China

The Kremlin announced on Monday that Russian president Vladimir Putin was in Mongolia for a visit of state. Mongolia is on the planned route of a new gas pipeline between Russia and China.

Since years, Russia has been discussing the construction of a pipeline that will transport 50 billion cubic meters (bcm), or natural gas per year, from its Yamal Region to China via Mongolia.

Power of Siberia 2 is a part of Russia’s strategy to compensate the European market for its loss of gas sales since the beginning of the Ukraine War. The project is a planned successor to a pipeline with the same name that already transports Russian gas to China. It is expected to reach its capacity of 38 billion cubic meters per year by 2025.

Long-standing issues, such as gas pricing, have slowed down the new venture. Putin stated on the eve before his visit that preparations, such as feasibility and engineering studies were progressing according to schedule.

On Tuesday, he will meet with Mongolian president Ukhnaagiin Khulelsukh.

Last week, Ukraine asked Mongolia to arrest Putin in accordance with a warrant issued last year by the International Criminal Court. It accused him of committing a war crime when it illegally deported hundreds of Ukrainian children.

The Kremlin dismissed the accusations, saying they were politically motivated and that it had no concerns about Putin's trip.

The warrant obligates the 124 member countries of the court, including Mongolia to arrest Putin, and to transfer him to The Hague to be tried if he steps foot on their soil.

Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman, said that all aspects of the trip had been discussed. Reporting by Mark Trevelyan, Editing by Andrew Osborn

(source: Reuters)