A “massive” contract in the works for Chinese energy has nothing to do with challenges in the European gas sector, Russia’s energy minister said Tuesday. Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said the Kremlin aims to sign sweeping oil and natural gas contracts with China. In an interview the Russia-24 TV channel, he said bilateral economic initiatives with Beijing are part of a broad agenda. “That is why we sign these massive contracts to supply gas, oil, construct infrastructure pipelines — they lay the foundation not for the present day, and neither it is associated with the situation around the European partners today,” he said . “This is due to the development of relations with Asia-Pacific countries in general, with such key partners as China.” Russian President Vladimir Putin is putting the final touches on a contract with China that envisions natural gas deliveries and associated […]