Landmark Reached As China Now Imports More Russian Gas Than Europe

A landmark of sorts has been reached as Russia’s Gazprom supplied 38.8 billion cubic meters of gas to China via the Power of Siberia pipeline in 2025. That is 24.8% higher than the 2024 figure and means that the company exported more pipeline gas to China than to European countries—including Turkiye.

While the UK and European Union have sanctioned Russian oil and decreased imports, their consumption of Russian gas has been less affected, although there have still been declines. However, this strategy has been uneven—France and Spain imported record amounts of Russian gas last year, mainly via TurkStream. The EU has passed legislation to phase out all imports of Russian gas by 1^st January 2028; however, it remains highly unlikely this target will be met. The EU is instead sourcing gas, at higher prices, mainly from the United States.

Supplies of Russian gas to China via the Power of Siberia gas pipeline began in 2019 under a long-term gas purchase and sale agreement between Gazprom and China’s CNPC. A total of 31.12 bcm of gas was exported via the pipeline in 2024. Starting from December 1, 2024 (one month earlier than the original schedule), daily supplies via the Power of Siberia were brought to the maximum contractual level (38 bcm on an annualized basis).

In the spring of 2025, planned summer maintenance of the pipeline was carried out for the first time without stopping gas supplies. The company also regularly reported new daily supply records via the pipeline. Supply volumes exceeding contractual figures are an indicator of stable daily supplies and are important for consumers during the winter heating season and subsequent increased fuel usage.

Russia has become the largest supplier of natural gas to China (by pipeline and as LNG), providing around a third of its imports.

China’s household LNG (liquefied natural gas) prices vary but have recently seen low wholesale rates, at around €8.24 – €8.59 per 100 kWh in late 2025.

EU household natural gas prices vary significantly by country, averaging around €11.43 per 100 kWh in the first half of 2025, with Sweden and the Netherlands seeing the highest costs at up to €18 per 100 kWh, driven by taxes, network charges, and wholesale LNG costs.

Hungary, Croatia, and Romania have the lowest LNG prices in the EU, averaging about €4.2 per 100 kWh. The latter three have access to Russian supplies via TurkStream.