Gas supplies to China on the western route: choice between two risks

The determination of route for gas supplies to China in the western direction provides for the choosing between two evils for Russia: the environmental and technological risks of construction of the Altai gas pipeline through Ukok Plateau, as well as problems associated with the involvement of a transit country in the project, analysts, polled by the RIA Novosti, believe.

At the same time, the fact that two countries announced their desire to transport Russian "blue fuel" to China puts Russia in a more favourable position in choosing a partner.

On Wednesday, President of Mongolia Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj acquainted President Vladimir Putin with the initiative "Steppe Route" and told about the benefits of the construction of the gas pipeline from Russia to China through his country. Earlier Kazakhstan announced its desire to become a transit country for Russian gas: in late August, the First Deputy Minister of Energy of the Republic, Uzakbai Karabalin reported that the neighboring countries were considering the possibility to construct the gas pipeline through its territory to China.