Moscow plans to suspend Kazakhstan’s oil shipments to Germany through a major pipeline network starting May 1st, according to three industry insiders who spoke anonymously on Tuesday.
The sources revealed that an updated export schedule has already been distributed to both Kazakhstan and Germany regarding the Druzhba pipeline operations.
This development occurs as Moscow and Berlin’s diplomatic and commercial ties have deteriorated significantly due to the Ukraine war, with Germany backing Ukrainian forces.
Russia’s energy ministry has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated he had no knowledge of plans to suspend the oil shipments.
“We will try to check it,” Peskov said during his regular press briefing with reporters.
In 2022, Germany seized control of Russian oil giant Rosneft’s domestic operations, effectively dismantling decades of energy cooperation between the two nations.
The volume of Kazakhstan’s oil shipments to Germany through Russia’s Druzhba network reached 2.146 million metric tons in 2025, equivalent to approximately 43,000 barrels daily – representing a 44% jump from the previous year.
Kazakhstan delivers its oil to Germany using the northern branch of Druzhba, which passes through Polish territory.
Ukrainian drone strikes targeting the pipeline within Russian borders have caused multiple service disruptions to these shipments.
The PCK refinery in Schwedt, located in northeastern Germany and among the nation’s largest facilities, depends partly on Kazakh crude delivered through this pipeline system. This arrangement began after Russian oil shipments ceased following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
