Russia and China Strengthen Their Strategic Partnership with Long-Term Gas Supply Agreement

Russian President Vladimir Putin today expressed his country's readiness to support and enhance the strategic partnership with China, highlighting the importance of bilateral relations between the two countries in various fields.

This came in statements he made following informal talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the latter's personal residence in the Zhongnanhai complex in Beijing, where the two leaders gathered for a tea session attended by several senior officials from both sides.

From the Russian side, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration Maxim Oreshkin, Presidential Assistant Yuri Ushakov, along with Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, participated in the meeting.

The discussions between the two presidents included extensive talks on ways to enhance comprehensive cooperation between Russia and China at both the strategic and economic levels.

They also discussed strengthening coordination in international forums and finding solutions to common regional and international challenges.

The meeting coincided with events marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in the Chinese capital, where both sides expressed their determination to continue deepening bilateral cooperation in various sectors.

As part of this increasing cooperation, Russia and China signed a legally binding supply agreement regarding the "Power of Siberia_2" pipeline to transport gas to China. The agreement, which spans 30 years, guarantees gas supply prices lower than those directed to Europe, thereby enhancing energy cooperation between the two countries.

This rapprochement between Russia and China reflects both parties' desire to solidify their strategic partnership, which could have significant implications for international politics in the near future.