Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Mongolia on Tuesday for talks focused on advancing a proposed gas pipeline project that would connect Russia and China through Mongolia.

The planned Power of Siberia 2 pipeline is expected to deliver up to 50 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually from Russia’s Yamal region to China. This project is a key component of Russia’s strategy to offset the loss of its gas sales in Europe due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Discussions on Power of Siberia 2 have faced delays, primarily over pricing issues. However, Putin confirmed during his visit that preparatory work, including feasibility and engineering studies, is progressing as planned.

The visit came amid international controversy surrounding Putin’s warrant of arrest for illegally taking Ukrainian children into Russia. 

Ukraine recently called on Mongolia to arrest the Russian president under an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant issued last year, accusing him of the war crime of deporting Ukrainian children illegally.