Photo: freepik.com
The European Union is weighing the possibility of imposing secondary sanctions on Kazakhstan for the first time, Bloomberg reported, citing sources familiar with the discussions.
According to the outlet, if sanctions are introduced, Astana would be barred from importing certain equipment that EU officials believe is still being redirected in large volumes to Russia, where it is used in weapons production.
No decision has yet been made, the sources stressed, noting that evidence and the unanimous support of all EU member states would be required.
The proposed measures could be included in the EU’s 19th sanctions package against Russia, which is currently under discussion. The new package also envisions tougher restrictions on Russian banks and oil companies, a ban on reinsurance for tankers in the “shadow” fleet, sanctions on third-country oil traders, and additional export bans on goods that could be used in Russia’s defense industry.
Several Kazakh companies have already been placed under EU and U.S. sanctions in recent years. However, this is the first time secondary sanctions against the country itself are being considered.
Since the start of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, Kazakhstan has not joined U.S. and EU sanctions against Moscow. Astana has repeatedly emphasized that it adheres to the international sanctions regime and does not assist Russia in circumventing it.
