China will not reach an agreement to import natural gas from Russia’s Gazprom during a state visit by President Vladimir Putin this week despite strenuous Russian efforts to secure what has been portrayed as a key test of closer Sino-Russian ties.
As Moscow’s relations with the West have deteriorated over the crisis in Ukraine, Mr Putin has sought to show the world and the Russian people that he has alternative friends to the east.
Russian media, officials and Mr Putin himself have repeatedly said that the gas deal, which has been under negotiation for more than a decade, would be signed during the Russian President’s visit to Shanghai, which ends on Wednesday evening.
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