On the eve of his visit to Mongolia, Russian President Vladimir Putin has given the country a gift that Western countries will not like, according to an article published on the Chinese social network Baidu. The article was translated by Pravda.Ru.
The author believes that Putin’s trip to Mongolia is part of a big geopolitical game involving many world powers. Mongolia has significant natural resources and is also strategically located. The Power of Siberia-2 gas pipeline is planned to be built through its territory, which will supply Russian gas to China. This project is likely to be a key topic of Vladimir Putin’s visit to Ulaanbaatar.
On the eve of his visit, in an interview with Mongolian media, the Russian president spoke about energy cooperation. In particular, he said that Mongolia can access Russian gas, which will pass through its territory to China, and at preferential prices. According to the author of the article, this is the best gift for Mongolia. This country is highly dependent on energy exports. The construction of the Russia-Mongolia-China oil pipeline will bring it significant revenues from transit fees and will help diversify fuel supplies.
Russia is seeking to expand energy exports to Asia via new pipelines to address problems caused by sanctions from Europe and the United States. Therefore, the United States and its allies will probably not be happy with Putin’s gift to Mongolia, as it speeds up the implementation of Russian gas projects, the author of the material believes.
It is worth adding that after negotiations with his Mongolian counterpart Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, the Russian President stated that our country invariably responds to Ulaanbaatar’s requests to meet the growing needs for fuel and lubricants, including on preferential terms.
Russia has long and reliably provided the economy of the republic with the energy resources it needs. According to Vladimir Putin, 90 percent of gasoline and diesel fuel came to the Mongolian market from Russia last year.
He noted that Moscow sees good prospects for cooperation in the gas sector with Ulaanbaatar. Putin recalled that the development of design documentation for the nearly 1,000-kilometer Soyuz-Vostok gas pipeline, which will connect Russia, Mongolia and China, has been completed. The project is currently undergoing state examination and environmental assessment.
“We are not only talking about the transit of Russian gas through Mongolia; the possibility of supplying this fuel to Mongolian consumers is also being considered.” – the Russian president noted.
He stressed that Gazprom is ready to provide the necessary support in the practical issues of gasification in Mongolia.
In other words, we see that it is not worth talking about “gifts”. But it is about mutually beneficial cooperation.
