Moscow, Sept 3: Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Mongolia for a state visit, marking a significant step in the planned construction of the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline. This pipeline is intended to transport 50 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas annually from Russia’s Yamal region to China via Mongolia.
The Power of Siberia 2 project is a critical component of Russia’s strategy to mitigate the loss of European gas sales resulting from the ongoing Ukraine conflict. It aims to build upon the existing Power of Siberia pipeline, which is set to reach its full capacity of 38 bcm per year by 2025.
Despite progress in preparatory work and engineering studies, the project has faced delays due to unresolved issues regarding gas pricing. Putin’s visit to Mongolia is expected to involve discussions with Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh on advancing the pipeline project.
The visit comes amid an international controversy. Last week, Ukraine urged Mongolia to arrest Putin under an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant accusing him of war crimes related to the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children. The Kremlin has dismissed these charges as politically motivated and expressed confidence that the visit would proceed without incident.
Mongolian authorities and the Kremlin have reportedly addressed the ICC warrant in their discussions about the visit, ensuring that all aspects have been thoroughly considered.