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Russia plans to block the transit of Kazakh oil to Germany from 1 May

Russia plans to block the transit of Kazakh oil to Germany from 1 May

22 April 2026, 12:45

Russia plans to block the transit of Kazakh oil to Germany from 1 May — Oil

Moscow has issued new export schedules that threaten the operations of the refinery supplying fuel to 90% of vehicles in the Berlin-Brandenburg region.

Russia intends to halt oil exports from Kazakhstan to Germany via the Druzhba pipeline from 1 May. Moscow has sent updated export schedules to both countries.

This was reported by Reuters.

According to analysts, Germany has been purchasing Kazakh oil since 2023 as a replacement for Russian oil. Kazakhstan also supplies oil to Hungary.

Supplies to Germany are transported via the northern branch of the Druzhba pipeline, which runs through Poland.

Oil exports from Kazakhstan to Germany in 2025 amounted to 2.146 million metric tonnes, or around 43,000 barrels per day – 44% more than in 2024. In the first quarter of 2026, 730,000 tonnes were exported.

A complete shutdown would reduce the volume processed by the German PCK refinery in the north-eastern town of Schwedt by approximately 17%. It supplies fuel for 90% of vehicles in the Berlin-Brandenburg region.

The Russian Ministry of Energy did not immediately respond to a request for comment, whilst Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists that he was unaware of such a decision.

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