New York Times has revealed the true grounds of the Altai gas pipeline’s opponents

One of the largest American newspapers The New York Times has published the article about undesirability of the Altai gas pipeline construction because it will ‘reduce Russia's vulnerability to punitive actions from the West’. Though, New York Times names ecological risks as a more ‘civilized’ argument against the construction.

‘Ahead of a key meeting of global leaders in Beijing, Russian officials say that negotiations are heating up with China for the possible second major energy deal this year’, - New York Times writes (InoTV cites). ‘ If signed, the pact would authorize a new pipeline that could double the amount of natural gas Russia that is scheduled to be exported to China and elevate Russia into a major supplier there. It would also expand the market for exports from Russia, which has been hit hard by American and European Union sanctions. About 80 percent of Russia’s piped natural gas now goes to Europe’.

Last week the chief of Gazprom, A. Miller announced at the meeting with the President Putin the intentions of the company to close the contract for annual gas supplies to China of 30 billion cubic m within 30 years. They are able to enlarge the supplies to 100 billion cubic m.