Kazakhstan Responds to EU Statements on Sanctions Evasion Mechanism

Kazakhstan has not received any official notifications or warnings from the European Union regarding the use of so-called "sanctions circumvention instruments," Orda.kz reports.

The Ministry of Trade and Integration, responding to a request, emphasized that Kazakhstan consistently fulfills its international obligations and takes measures to prevent its territory from being used to bypass economic restrictions against Russia.

We are in constant dialogue with our EU partners. Earlier, following negotiations, we managed to resolve the issue of Kazakh coal transit through Russian ports and exclude it from restrictions. Work on other areas will be carried out in a similar way, the ministry said.

Officials added that relations with the EU will focus on maintaining transparency in foreign economic activity, protecting national interests, and ensuring trade stability.

This comes after Bloomberg reported, citing sources, that the EU is discussing including indirect restrictions on Kazakhstan in its 19th sanctions package against Russia. The proposal would involve banning imports of certain equipment into Kazakhstan that could allegedly be re-exported to Russia for weapons production.

Original Author: Nikita Drobny