ASTANA, Kazakhstan, July 29. The European Union
has made key adjustments to its sanctions regime to allow the
continued transit of Kazakh coal through certain Russian ports,
Trend reports via the
Ministry of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan.
The move comes after a ban on transactions with several Russian
ports was introduced under the EU’s 16th sanctions package in
February 2025, disrupting Kazakh coal exports to Europe. One of the
ports affected was Ust-Luga, a historically vital transit hub for
Kazakh coal shipments.
In response, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Trade and Integration, in
coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the country’s
Mission to the European Union, engaged in consultations with
European counterparts. An official request was submitted to the
European Commission to secure an exemption.
As a result of these efforts, the EU’s 18th sanctions package
now includes an exception permitting the transit of Kazakh coal
through specific Russian ports under strict conditions. The cargo
must be exclusively of Kazakh origin, ownership must remain with
entities not subject to EU sanctions, and the ports may only be
used as transit, loading, or dispatch zones — with no local
purchasing or production allowed.
The Ministry of Trade emphasized that this decision ensures the
continuity of coal exports to Europe and helps preserve
Kazakhstan’s position as a reliable energy supplier to the
region.