Kazakhstan is aiming to gasify its northern and eastern regions with Russian natural gas, hoping for costs that are fair and predictable. Almasadam Satkaliyev, head of the Ministry of Energy, indicated to the agency TASS that the government expects pricing to reflect the realities of the energy relationship with Russia, while also acknowledging cooperative ties with Kazakhstan and the Republic of Belarus. The message conveyed is one of pragmatic pricing built on solid, friendly relationships among the involved states.
In March 2023, Kazakhstan’s Cabinet of Ministers and Gazprom signed a protocol outlining cooperation in the gas sector for 2023–2024. The agreement emphasizes joint exploration of gasification opportunities in the country’s northern and eastern regions, signaling a strategic push to expand access to affordable gas while leveraging the strengths of bilateral collaboration between the two energy players.
Recent remarks from Satkaliyev suggest that Moscow is prepared to supply gas to Astana at a price that could allow faster, more economical delivery to Kazakhstan’s northern and eastern provinces, potentially undercutting alternatives from Minsk. This development underscores the broader context of regional energy trading and the practical considerations that govern pricing, supply security, and regional energy infrastructure investments.
Earlier in April, comments from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov touched on the evolving conversation around a tripartite gas framework involving Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. While emphasizing progress, Lavrov’s statements also reflect the sensitivity of cross-border energy cooperation to political, economic, and regulatory shifts, and the ongoing assessment of how such a union might affect gas flows, pricing, and regional energy diplomacy. (citation: official statements and media reports surrounding the Lavrov remarks)