Russia’s focus on boosting natural gas exports to China is proving less lucrative for the nation than its former reliance on westbound deliveries to European markets. Gas prices for the Asian nation are expected to be as much as 28% below those for Russia’s remaining European clients at least through 2027, according to the economic outlook prepared by the Economy Ministry and seen by Bloomberg News. The outlook indicates the financial drawback to Moscow’s intensive efforts to build energy ties with China amid the standoff with the West over its annexation of the Crimean peninsula, followed by the invasion of Ukraine. ... (full story)