The key facts
- Kazakhstan has sent Russia an official request to resume oil supplies via Druzhba, halted in May 2026
- Minister Erlan Akkenzhenov stated that the technical capability to restore pumping exists
- Previously the route was used to supply Kazakh oil to the refinery in Schwedt (Germany)
Astana awaits Moscow's response
Kazakhstan has sent Russia an official request to resume oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline, suspended since May 2026. Energy Minister of the republic Erlan Akkenzhenov announced this at a press conference on November 4, as reported by Life.ru. According to him, the request was conveyed personally, in a one-on-one format, and the Kazakh side is now awaiting Moscow's decision.
What is known about the technical side and previous supplies
“I personally addressed the official request; it was conveyed one-on-one. The Kazakh side is awaiting a response from the Russian side regarding the resumption. We have the technical capability for this and are awaiting a response from the Russian side,” Life.ru quotes the minister as saying. Thus, Astana confirms that the infrastructure is ready to resume pumping, but ties further steps to the Russian side's response.
From a change of position to a change of plans
The Druzhba route was previously used to transport Kazakh oil through Russia to Germany: before the supplies were halted, the crude was delivered to the German refinery in Schwedt. Notably, the position of the Kazakh ministry has changed: in August, as Life.ru notes, the same minister Akkenzhenov explained that the transportation plans received from Transneft did not provide for pumping along this route — that is, Kazakhstan at that time declined to resume supplies. Now the republic itself is initiating a return to the previous arrangement. It remains unknown how the Russian side will react and whether the route to Germany specifically will be restored: the statement speaks of resuming pumping in general, without details on volumes and destinations.
