EU praises Kazakhstan's anti-evasion efforts
The European Union has publicly commended Kazakhstan for its efforts to prevent the evasion of sanctions against Russia. The country has reportedly tightened customs checks and increased transparency requirements for re-exported goods, particularly dual-use technologies, marking a pivotal step in maintaining the integrity of the EU's sanctions regime.
- Since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Kazakhstan emerged as a key channel for "parallel imports" to Russia; its exports of microchips to Russia surged from $245,000 in 2021 to $18 million in 2022. In the same period, Kazakhstan imported nearly $5 million worth of drones, primarily from China, and officially exported $1.23 million worth of them to Russia. - In response to Western pressure, Kazakhstan introduced new export controls requiring mandatory licensing for a range of dual-use goods and explicitly banning the re-export of items from the EU, US, and UK to Russia. These measures are set to remain in force for at least one year. - The EU's primary focus has been on a "common high-priority list" of 50 dual-use and advanced technology items, such as microchips and sensors, that have been found in Russian weaponry on the battlefield in Ukraine. - David O'Sullivan, the EU's Special Envoy for Sanctions, has visited Kazakhstan multiple times to address these concerns, noting that while the EU respects Kazakhstan's decision not to join the sanctions, it is crucial to prevent the country from being used as a platform for circumvention. - Following the implementation of stricter controls, thousands of trucks carrying goods from China to Russia were stranded at Kazakhstan's border in late 2025, disrupting the flow of items like drones, electronic components, and machinery. - While cracking down on dual-use goods, the EU has also made exceptions to its sanctions regime for Kazakhstan, granting a waiver to allow the transit of Kazakh coal to the bloc through Russian ports, provided the coal is exclusively of Kazakh origin and not owned by sanctioned entities. - The EU remains a key economic partner for Kazakhstan, with annual trade turnover reaching nearly 40 billion euros and accounting for 38% of Kazakhstan's exports. This economic relationship provides significant leverage in diplomatic discussions regarding sanctions enforcement. - Despite the crackdown, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), of which both Kazakhstan and Russia are members, complicates enforcement efforts as it generally lacks internal customs borders, making it easier for goods to move between member states.
