The European Union has allowed the transit of Kazakh coal through Russian ports despite existing sanctions against Russia, the Ministry of Trade and Integration reports.
The decision was made following negotiations under the EU’s 18th sanctions package. It permits the use of certain Russian ports exclusively for the transit of coal originating from Kazakhstan.
The ruling specifies that the cargo must not be owned by residents of sanctioned countries, and that Russian ports may be used solely for transit, loading and dispatch purposes.
Kazakhstan has traditionally exported coal to the EU via the Baltic port of Ust-Luga. However, in February, the EU’s 16th sanctions package banned operations through several Russian ports, threatening Kazakh coal exports.
The EU is a key market for Kazakh coal: between 2022 and 2024, it accounted for 45-54% of total exports. In January-May, exports to the EU dropped to 1.6 million tons (38.5% of the total), but Kazakhstan hopes the EU’s new decision will help restore these figures. (Ukrainska Pravda)