As the Western world turns away, Russia turns East. A massive new gas pipeline to China is in the works.

In response to growing Western sanctions, Russia is doubling down on its energy pivot to the East by advancing plans for a massive new gas pipeline to China.

The project, dubbed Soyuz Vostok or Power of Siberia 2, will deliver up to 50 billion cubic meters of gas annually through a 598-mile stretch across Mongolia.

This comes as European nations distance themselves from Russian energy following the invasion of Ukraine, prompting Russian energy giant Gazprom to seek new markets for its vast natural gas reserves.

The pipeline, with 1.42-meter-wide pipes and five major compressor stations, represents a significant deepening of energy ties between Moscow and Beijing. It builds upon a 30-year agreement signed in 2014, which saw the completion of the original Power of Siberia pipeline in 2019. If completed, the new route could allow Russia to divert gas flows originally bound for Europe directly to China reducing dependency on Western markets while strengthening its strategic partnership with the world's fastest-growing gas consumer.