German Chancellor Merz says Berlin seeks Kazakh oil to replace Russian supply

September 30, 2026 at 08:24 AM2 min

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Berlin wants to deepen economic cooperation with Kazakhstan and is interested in increasing imports of Kazakh oil as a replacement for Russian supplies. Speaking at a joint press conference with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Berlin, Merz called Kazakhstan Germany's most important trading partner in Central Asia. Tokayev said Kazakhstan supplied over 10 million tonnes of oil to Germany in 2025 and remains ready to continue as a reliable energy supplier to Europe.

Key Facts

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Germany is interested in importing Kazakh oil to replace Russian supplies.
Kazakhstan supplied over 10 million tonnes of oil to Germany in 2025.
Kazakhstan accounts for about 13% of EU oil imports and 20% of natural uranium supplies.
The PCK refinery in Schwedt, one of Germany's largest, is partially supplied with Kazakh oil.

German Interest in Kazakh Oil

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Berlin wants to deepen economic cooperation with Kazakhstan and is interested in increasing imports of Kazakh oil. Merz stated that Germany seeks to replace oil no longer received from Russia and views Kazakhstan as an important element in diversifying supply chains. He called Kazakhstan Germany's most important trading partner in Central Asia.

Kazakhstan's Energy Supply Role

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev wrote in an article for Handelsblatt that Kazakhstan has proven itself a reliable and stable energy supplier to Europe. Kazakhstan provides about 13% of EU oil imports and 20% of natural uranium supplies. In 2025, Kazakh oil deliveries to Germany exceeded 10 million tonnes. Tokayev said Kazakhstan is ready to continue this mission responsibly, taking into account available transport capabilities.

Druzhba Pipeline Transit Concerns

Reuters reported that the PCK refinery in Schwedt, one of Germany's largest, is partially supplied with Kazakh oil. In April, Kazakh Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said Astana received unofficial information about the impossibility of oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline from Kazakhstan to Germany. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov later said the decision was allegedly related to technical issues and that Kazakhstan's interests would be fully respected, with necessary volumes ensured through alternative transport corridors.