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Kazakhstan has publicly urged Ukraine to cease its military attacks on the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal located at the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk. The plea from Astana's Foreign Ministry highlights the significant economic repercussions for the Central Asian nation, which relies heavily on the pipeline for its primary export.
The CPC pipeline is a critical artery for Kazakhstan's economy, as it handles over 80% of the country's crude oil exports. In a statement, the ministry emphasized the terminal's international importance and warned that continued damage could severely disrupt global energy supplies. This formal request follows a series of Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, a strategy Kyiv has employed in retaliation for Moscow's ongoing military campaign.
While the terminal is on Russian territory, the CPC is an international joint venture with significant Western participation. Major shareholders include U.S. oil giants Chevron and ExxonMobil, alongside companies from Russia and Kazakhstan. The attacks, therefore, not only disrupt Russian operations but also impact major Western energy investments in the region. Kazakhstan's government has previously conveyed its concerns to Kyiv through diplomatic channels, underscoring the delicate position Astana occupies between its strategic partner, Russia, and Ukraine.
Kazakhstan's criticism marks a direct public appeal aimed at safeguarding its crucial economic interests amid the escalating conflict. The repeated disruptions have prompted Astana to intensify its search for alternative export routes, such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, to reduce its dependence on infrastructure passing through Russian territory. However, the CPC remains its most significant and cost-effective option for reaching international markets.
