Kazakhstan Extends Petroleum Export Ban to May 2027

Kazakhstan will extend its ban on petroleum exports until May 22, 2027. The freeze applies to all buyers, including fellow Eurasian Economic Union members such as Kyrgyzstan. The government has installed police checkpoints on nearly 60 roads along the border with Russia and limited crossings to one per day.

Officials said the steps are meant to stop vehicles from buying fuel in Kazakhstan and taking it back to Russia.

Lines have formed at gas stations in northern Kazakh regions including West Kazakhstan, Aktobe, and Pavlodar, the Tengri news agency reported. The price of high-octane gasoline in Russia is currently about 40 percent higher than in Kazakhstan. Deputy Energy Minister Kayirkhan stated that authorities are focusing on identifying cars with extra fuel tanks used for unauthorized exports.

The extension comes as Ukrainian drone attacks have reduced Russian fuel supplies and as U.S.-Iran tensions have increased risks to tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.