China, Russia tighten ties with apparent gas deal

President Vladimir Putin appears to have secured a diplomatic win he has sought for years, with a massive pipeline deal that would tie Russia and China together for decades and could redefine the global gas trade.

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The head of Russia's Gazprom PJSC, speaking to Russian media in Beijing, said the gas giant has signed a legally binding agreement to build the longanticipated Power of Siberia 2 pipeline to China via Mongolia.

While Beijing has yet to confirm the details, securing any advance in the project is a diplomatic coup for Putin as Moscow grapples with the impact of Western sanctions.