Kazakhstan could be ready to make an exception to its ban on fuel exports, if Russia asks for emergency supplies. This is what emerged last week, when Reuters reported sources as saying that Russia had requested a one-off shipment of petroleum products from Kazakhstan. Astana has curtailed exports in an effort to meet domestic demand.
But with Ukraine’s attacks on Russia’s refineries, in response to Moscow’s war of aggression, now in its fifth year, the Russian fuel market is in trouble.
On June 24, according to Reuters, Russia asked Kazakhstan for 50,000 tons of AI-92 fuel, the most common type of gasoline in the region, to make up with the current shortages. That’s around 25 percent of the country’s total output.
Kazakhstan’s government did not immediately comment, with the energy ministry noting that it did not receive an official request from the Russian side. Deputy Minister of Economy Azamat Amrin told the press, “When there is a concrete decision, we will let you know.”
On June 28, Russian President Vladimir Putin admitted that the country is facing a gasoline deficit, due to ongoing repairs at key refining facilities hit by Ukraine’s drones.
