Russia Completely Bans Diesel Exports: What Does It Mean for Kazakhstan?

Russia has expanded its temporary diesel export ban to include fuel producers, but the restrictions will not apply to Kazakhstan. Supplies will continue because the country is part of the EAEU, Orda.kz reports.

The temporary ban on exports of diesel fuel, marine fuel and gas oils is valid until July 31, 2026. Previously, it applied only to companies that did not produce diesel. Now it also applies to producers of petroleum products.

The Russian government said the measure is intended to keep the domestic fuel market stable. Russia also plans to start importing oil products in July and increase output using fuel of a lower environmental class. The export ban was first introduced at the end of January 2026.

Oil and gas expert Olzhas Baidildinov said Kazakhstan should not be affected by the restrictions. According to him, the ban does not apply to diesel exported under international intergovernmental agreements, including supplies to EAEU countries.

Kazakhstan needs either to reduce and regulate diesel consumption or import it from other countries, which would be more expensive. In 2025, Kazakhstan produced 6.1 million tons of diesel fuel, while imports amounted to about 350,000 tons, or 5–6 % of domestic production,Baidildinov said.

He added that in 2026 Kazakhstan can import 1.12 million tons of oil products from Russia duty-free within the EAEU, including 450,000 tons of diesel fuel.

Original author: Oksana Matviyenko

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