ST. PETERSBURG, October 21. /TASS/. Russian and Chinese companies may reach commercial agreements on the Power of Baikal gas pipeline by the end of 2026, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told reporters.

"We are waiting for our companies to conduct commercial negotiations. We hope that they will reach relevant agreements by the end of the year," he said.

Novak also explained why the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline was renamed Power of Baikal. "It is to distinguish between the names of Power of Siberia and Power of Baikal. It is probably important to highlight the region through which the route will pass as well. The route will run along the southern shore of Lake Baikal," he said.