Kremlin cites “technical issues” behind halt of Kazakh oil to Germany

Russia has attributed the suspension of Kazakh oil transit to Germany via the Druzhba pipeline to technical causes, according to the Kremlin.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the decision was not political but based on operational considerations, while stressing that Kazakhstan would not be adversely affected, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media. 

“The decision is related to technical issues, but all the interests of our Kazakh friends will be met via other routes,” he said.

Peskov did not specify the nature of the technical problems or provide a timeline for when normal transit could resume.

The announcement follows a report by Reuters on April 21, citing sources, that Moscow planned to halt Kazakh oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline from May 1.

By Sabina Mammadli