US ally turns the tables and ignores the US by meeting with Vladimir Putin to get the gas pipeline project running, signaling Russia's expansion of its energy dominance.
After the no invasion on February 15, this development is stonewalling of American interests by a major partner in the Middle East.
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's interests in the pipeline show a shift to other interests bypassing western interests.
Russian Expansion With Pakistan
PM Imran Khan will meet with the Russian leader in Moscow next week to discuss crucial proposals. One of these is an energy deal with Russia to construct a new pipeline that will carry gas through Pakistan, the Express reported.
First offered in 2015, Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline (PSGP) or the North-South gas pipeline, since they share no border, the gas will not be pumped from Russia to Pakistan.
As with the discussions, Moscow will have majority control about 85% of the cost to build and operate in 25 years.
Some changes were introduced recently to the deal, including a total of 75% will be for Islamabad, and Moscow will accept 26% in the new arrangement.
Plans to borrow from Russian banks to have the capital to fund the project will be part of the cost to get pipes and compressors needed for the project, citing The News International.
For all intents should it pull through, Putin will have overwhelming control of energy compared to any other country trading in natural gas.
New Energy Deal With US Ally
It will run a distance of 1,040-kilometers long and will be paid for by loans acquired by the Pakistanis that will be built by Russia exclusively. According to ANI News, the total cost for the project is estimated at $.2.5billion.
What it means for US president Joe Biden is getting disregarded by US ally preferring a new gas pipeline after pronouncements against the Kremlin. Pakistan ignoring the US implies a divergence from the US.
From 2002 until 2013, Islamabad received $26billion in economic and military assistance with military hardware sales.
After the US lost Afghanistan due to executive decisions by the White House, both countries had a rocky time with less security, and Islamabad is called a supporter of the Taliban.
But despite the developments: Pakistan is still called a major non-NATO ally.
Putin Against the West
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been sparring with the NATO, US, and the EU, so far has been dominant, but he wants more allies in the East who might have differences with the Western alliance.
The Kremlin and Beijing have asked NATO to stop its post-cold war strategies against them, while tensions in the East of Europe are not decreasing.
Russia's grip on gas supplies is the supposed cause of the tense atmosphere, but due to the bloc's attitude, which will end with the Kremlin closing the gas tap today.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is in emergency mode as the impending gas shut off and will need measures to cope with no more Russian gas. Putin warned the bloc, and now it's the consequence.
A US ally meets in the Kremlin to discuss and sign an energy deal to start a gas pipeline that does not consider the US concerns in controlling Russia.
