Russia to stop transit of oil from Kazakhstan to Germany via Druzhba - Reuters

Russia intends to stop exporting oil from Kazakhstan to Germany via the Druzhba pipeline from May 1, three industry sources told Reuters. According to them, an adjusted oil export schedule has already been sent to Kazakhstan and Germany.

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he was not aware of any plans to halt exports. "We will try to verify this," he told reporters during an April 21 briefing. Kazakhstan's Energy Ministry and the German government also did not provide prompt comments.

The cessation of oil supplies from Kazakhstan will increase uncertainty in Germany's fuel supply, Reuters points out, noting that European countries are facing disruptions in energy supplies from the Middle East amid the U.S. and Israel's war with Iran. And Berlin's longstanding energy ties with Moscow have been disrupted by Russia's military operation in Ukraine.

A complete shutdown of supplies would deprive the PCK refinery in Schwedt (one of Germany's largest) of about 17% of its annual refining capacity of up to 12 million tons. Fuel from this refinery supplies 9 out of 10 vehicles in the Berlin-Brandenburg region, notes Reuters.

Kazakh oil exports to Germany through the Druzhba pipeline in 2025 amounted to 2.146 million metric tons (about 43,000 bpd), 44% more than in 2024. In the first quarter of 2026, deliveries amounted to 730,000 tons.

This article was AI-translated and verified by a human editor