MOSCOW: Russia is set to stop oil exports from Kazakhstan to Germany via the Druzhba pipeline starting from May 1, according to three industry sources. The sources said an updated export schedule has already been sent to Kazakhstan and Germany. The move comes amid strained relations between Russia and Germany over the Russia-Ukraine war. The Kremlin said it is checking the information.
Kazakhstan exported about 2.146 million metric tons of oil to Germany via Druzhba in 2025 (around 43,000 barrels per day), and 730,000 tons in the first quarter of 2026. A full halt would significantly impact Germany’s PCK refinery in Schwedt, which processes up to 12 million tons of oil annually. Kazakh supplies account for roughly 17% of its throughput. The refinery is a major fuel source for Berlin and Brandenburg.
Russia’s relations with Germany have deteriorated since the Ukraine conflict. Russian oil deliveries to Germany were halted earlier, and Berlin placed local units of Rosneft under trusteeship in 2022. Kazakhstan has supplied oil to the Schwedt refinery via the northern branch of Druzhba through Poland since 2023, though supplies have faced interruptions due to attacks on Russian infrastructure.
Poland’s pipeline operator PERN has indicated it could supply oil via the port of Port of Gdańsk if required. The Schwedt refinery’s stakeholders include Rosneft, Shell, and Eni.
