不必结盟了，普京已跟中方谈妥，俄能源打折卖中国，新的情况出现

Core Insights - The Arctic LNG 2 project in Russia has faced significant challenges due to U.S. sanctions, leading to no sales from its launch in December 2023 until August 2024 [1] - The project, operated by Novatek, was expected to produce 19.8 million tons annually, but sanctions have severely impacted its profitability [1] - In August 2024, Novatek began selling sanctioned cargoes at discounts of 30% to 40% to Chinese buyers, with prices dropping to between $28 million and $32 million per shipment [1] - The shift in energy exports from Europe to Asia, particularly China, has become a critical strategy for Russia amid ongoing sanctions [3] Group 1: U.S. Sanctions and Their Impact - U.S. sanctions on the Russian energy sector have intensified since the Ukraine conflict began in 2022, with significant measures announced in January 2025 [3] - Despite sanctions, Chinese buyers have continued to import LNG from the Arctic project, as they are not included in the U.S. sanctions list [3] - The sanctions have led to a slowdown in Russia's economic growth, with a projected growth rate of only 1.3% in 2024 [3] Group 2: Russia-China Energy Cooperation - The energy cooperation between Russia and China has strengthened, with both countries emphasizing that their relationship is not a military alliance [5] - During a meeting in November 2025, Russian President Putin and Chinese Premier Li Qiang discussed enhancing cooperation in investment, energy, and agriculture [5] - By 2024, 40% of Russia's natural gas exports were directed towards Asia, indicating a significant shift in export strategy [5] Group 3: Market Adjustments and Future Outlook - The Arctic LNG 2 project's modules were assembled in a Chinese shipyard, which has also faced U.S. sanctions, highlighting the ongoing energy trade dynamics among the U.S., China, and Russia [8] - Despite new sanctions from the UK in October 2025, the trade of Russian LNG appears to remain largely unaffected, leading to slight adjustments in the global LNG market [8] - The overall impact of sanctions has not completely stifled Russia's economic growth, with a projected growth rate of 1.8% in 2025 [5][7]