Putin Aims to Unlock Gas Pipeline Project to China in Xi Talks

Vladimir Putin is set to travel on Tuesday to Beijing for talks with President Xi Jinping in his first foreign visit of the year, with the war in Iran offering an opportunity for Russia to deepen energy links with China.

Russia hopes the turmoil in energy markets from the Middle East conflict will make China more flexible in negotiations on a contract for gas prices for the planned Power of Siberia 2 pipeline project, according to people close to the government. Chinese officials expressed an interest in accelerating the talks, though there has been no firm progress so far, one Russian official said.