Sanctions against Druzhba pipeline will not affect Kazakh oil, supplies along this route will continue - Kazakh Energy Ministry

ASTANA. March 11 (Interfax) - Kazakh oil will not fall under sanctions in relation to the Druzhba main oil pipeline, and Kazakhstan will continue to supply oil via this route, Kazakh Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said.

"We have an understanding that Kazakh oil in particualr will not fall under sanctions," Akkenzhenov told journalists when answering a question as to whether Kazakhstan will seek an alternative to supplies via the Druzhba pipeline, given the upcoming sanctions restrictions.

On February 24, 2026, the United Kingdom included PJSC Transneft in its sanctions list. At the same time, the UK issued a temporary license to wind down operations, valid until April 9, 2026. The current general license of the United Kingdom dated January 10, 2025 for projects falling under sanctions exemptions (Russian Oil Exempt Projects) applies to the Druzhba oil pipeline and provides for the possibility of continuing operations under this project until October 14, 2027.

Kazakhstan has been supplying oil to Germany via the Druzhba pipeline since 2023. Supplies amounted to 2.1 million tonnes in 2025. They are expected to increase to 2.5 million tonnes in 2026.