On November 4, at a press conference, Kazakhstan's Vice Minister of Energy Yerlan Akkenzhenov stated that the republic is fully prepared to resume oil transit to Europe via the Druzhba trunk oil pipeline. According to him, Astana has already sent an official request to the Russian side to restart the transportation system, and the technical base for redirecting flows is in working condition. Thus, the key decision, as the official emphasized, now depends entirely on Moscow's position.
Diplomatic Channel: Request Handed Over Personally
Akkenzhenov stressed that the appeal to the Russian side was transmitted not through routine correspondence, but in the format of personal negotiations: "I personally handed over the official request to the Russian side in a tete-a-tete format. Currently, the Kazakh side is awaiting an official response from our partners regarding the resumption of transit." The minister also noted that the process is under constant diplomatic control, indicating the high priority of the issue for Astana.
Technical Readiness of Infrastructure
Among the key arguments cited by the vice minister is the full technical readiness of Kazakhstan's infrastructure. According to him, the pipeline system, pumping stations, and accompanying equipment possess all the necessary capabilities to redirect oil flows in a westward direction. This means that no additional investments or technical modifications are required from Kazakhstan to restore transit—the political decision of the Russian side is sufficient.
Figures: From 2.1 Million Tons in 2025 to Plans for 3 Million in 2026
The scale of the issue is clearly demonstrated by supply volumes. During 2025, Kazakhstan sent a total of 2.1 million tons of oil to Germany via the Druzhba system. For 2026, the republic planned to significantly increase this figure to nearly 3 million tons. However, since May of this year, the Russian side has suspended the transit of Kazakh raw materials through the pipeline, effectively depriving Astana of one of its main channels of access to European markets.
Why Druzhba is Critical for Kazakh Exports
The Druzhba pipeline remains one of the cheapest and logistically most efficient corridors for exporting hydrocarbons in a westward direction. For Kazakhstan, which possesses large oil reserves and strives to diversify export routes, maintaining access to this route is of strategic importance. Restoring transit will stabilize revenues from the oil sector and reduce dependence on alternative, often more expensive logistical schemes.
What's Next: Awaiting Moscow's Response
Currently, the Kazakh side is in a holding pattern, awaiting an official response from Russian partners. Neither side has yet disclosed details of possible conditions for resuming transit, and the timeframe for considering the request has not been announced. Nevertheless, the very fact of the personal nature of the appeal and the public statement at the vice-ministerial level indicates that the issue of restoring Druzhba is a priority on Astana's energy diplomacy agenda for 2026.
