Kazakhstan to Engage with Ukraine Over Drone Attack on Caspian Pipeline, Official Says

Kazakhstan is seeking diplomatic engagement with Ukraine following this week’s drone strike that targeted a pumping station of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) in southern Russia. The attack, which took place on Monday, has disrupted the primary export route for Kazakh oil and raised concerns about future security risks.

The strike occurred just one day before high-level talks between U.S. and Russian officials regarding potential negotiations to end the ongoing war in Ukraine. According to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, the damage inflicted on the CPC infrastructure has led to a reduction in oil flows by approximately 30-40%. He further stated that repairs to the affected facility could take several months, potentially impacting Kazakhstan’s oil exports in the long term.

In response to the situation, Kazakhstan’s First Deputy Foreign Minister Akan Rakhmetullin announced that the country intends to establish direct communication with Ukraine to prevent similar incidents in the future.

“We will communicate with the Ukrainian side,” Rakhmetullin was quoted as saying by the Kazakh news portal Informburo. “There will definitely be contacts, either here or in Kyiv. We need to resolve these issues diplomatically to avoid such situations going forward.”

Kazakhstan, a close economic partner of Russia, has maintained a neutral stance on the Ukraine conflict and has consistently emphasized the importance of diplomatic solutions over military action. The recent drone strike, however, highlights the broader geopolitical risks that could affect the country’s vital energy sector.

The CPC pipeline, which transports oil from Kazakhstan’s Tengiz oil fields to the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, is a crucial artery for Kazakh energy exports. Any prolonged disruption to this infrastructure could not only impact Kazakhstan’s economy but also have wider ramifications for global oil markets, particularly at a time when energy supply chains are already facing uncertainties.

While Ukraine has intensified its drone attacks on Russian infrastructure in recent weeks, this latest strike marks one of the most direct impacts on Kazakhstan’s energy supply chain. Analysts suggest that Kazakhstan’s decision to engage with Ukraine diplomatically could be aimed at securing assurances that its infrastructure will not be targeted in future operations.

Despite Kazakhstan’s historically strong ties with Russia, the country has sought to balance its foreign policy amid increasing geopolitical tensions. By opening dialogue with Ukraine, Kazakhstan appears to be taking proactive steps to mitigate risks and ensure the continued stability of its oil exports.

The outcome of these diplomatic engagements remains uncertain, but Kazakhstan’s approach signals a strategic effort to protect its economic interests while maintaining its neutral position in the broader geopolitical conflict.

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