Strengthening Energy Ties Between Russia and China
Since the beginning of the conflict with Ukraine in 2022, China has significantly increased its purchases of Russian oil and gas. This growing energy relationship is set to be a key topic during the upcoming meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Wednesday. The partnership between Moscow and Beijing has been described as "no limits," highlighting the deepening economic and strategic ties between the two nations.
Gas Exports: A Growing Partnership
One of the most significant energy projects between Russia and China is the Power of Siberia pipeline, which spans 3,000 kilometers (1,865 miles) and was launched at the end of 2019 under a 30-year, $400 billion deal. Gazprom, Russia's state-owned energy giant, supplies natural gas to China through this pipeline.
In 2025, exports via the pipeline saw a notable increase, rising by approximately a quarter to 38.8 billion cubic meters (bcm), surpassing the pipeline’s planned annual capacity of 38 bcm. During Putin’s visit to China in September, both countries agreed to boost annual volumes on the route by an additional 6 bcm, bringing the total to 44 bcm per year. Additionally, in February 2022, China agreed to purchase up to 10 bcm of gas annually from a pipeline connecting Sakhalin Island in Russia's Far East. This volume was later raised to 12 bcm.
Despite these developments, Russia’s gas exports to China remain relatively small compared to the 177 bcm it delivered to Europe annually in 2018-19. However, as Russia reduces its reliance on European markets due to the war in Ukraine, its focus on China as a major gas customer is increasing.
Russia and China are also discussing a new pipeline called Power of Siberia 2, which could deliver 50 bcm of gas per year from Russia to China via Mongolia. Gazprom began a feasibility study for the project in 2020, but a firm contract remains pending. In September, Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller stated that the two countries signed a "legally binding memorandum" on the pipeline, signaling progress.
In addition, Russia's liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to China rose by 18.2% last year to 9.79 million metric tons, according to China's customs data. Russia is now the third-largest supplier of LNG to China, following Australia and Qatar. China, as the world's largest buyer of seaborne gas, continues to rely heavily on Russian LNG.
Oil Imports: A Strategic Shift
China has become Russia's top client for oil shipments, both via sea and pipelines. This trend has been driven by Western sanctions on Russia over the war in Ukraine. In 2025, China's imports from Russia reached 2.01 million barrels per day (bpd), or 100.72 million metric tons in total, representing 20% of China's total imported oil by volume. However, this marked a 7.1% decline compared to previous years.
Yury Ushakov, Putin's foreign policy aide, reported that Russian oil exports to China grew by 35% in the first quarter of 2026, reaching 31 million tons. This growth underscores the importance of China as a key market for Russian oil.
China primarily imports Eastern Siberia-Pacific Ocean (ESPO) crude through the Skovorodino-Mohe spur of the ESPO pipeline, which connects Russian oil fields to refineries in China and the Russian Far East port of Kozmino. Transneft, Russia's oil pipeline operator, has announced plans to expand the ESPO pipeline to increase exports via Kozmino, aiming to complete the expansion by 2029.
China also imports oil from the Pacific island of Sakhalin, including Sakhalin Blend and Sokol oil grades. The availability of ESPO Blend oil has remained high since July 2025, when exports were expanded to 1 million barrels per day. Transneft has maintained exports via Kozmino at around this level.
Additionally, Russia has agreed to raise its oil exports to China via Kazakhstan through the Atasu-Alashankou pipeline by 2.5 million tons per year, bringing the total to 12.5 million tons.
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