Kazakh energy officials confirmed Tuesday that crude oil transit to Germany via the Druzhba pipeline will be suspended effective May 1, threatening a critical fuel link for the Berlin-Brandenburg region.

The disruption will affect deliveries to the PCK refinery in Schwedt, a massive facility 62 miles northeast of Berlin that supplies approximately 90% of the fuel used by vehicles in the German capital and surrounding areas.

Speaking at the Regional Ecological Summit 2026, Kazakhstan Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov told reporters that while Astana has not received a formal notice from Moscow, unofficial data indicate shipments have ground to a halt.

"There are zero volumes for May and currently for the second quarter," Akkenzhenov said.

Russian counterparts have reportedly pointed to a lack of technical capacity within the pipeline system, citing recent strikes on energy infrastructure as the primary cause. 

Akkenzhenov noted these claims remain unconfirmed but expressed hope that transit would resume once technical hurdles are cleared.

The Druzhba pipeline’s northern branch, which traverses Russia and Poland, became a vital artery for Germany following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. 

Berlin seized control of the Schwedt refinery from Russian oil giant Rosneft that same year to bolster energy security. Since 2023, Kazakh crude has served as a primary alternative to Russian oil, helping Germany diversify its energy imports.

In 2025, Kazakhstan exported 2.1 million tons of crude—roughly 43,000 barrels per day—to Germany through the Russian section of the pipeline. While this represents a fraction of Kazakhstan’s total global exports, the route is strategically indispensable for the PCK refinery’s operations.

To mitigate the immediate impact, Akkenzhenov stated that Kazakhstan has begun redirecting export volumes through alternative routes. 

However, energy analysts warn that a prolonged suspension could strain fuel reserves at the Schwedt refinery, potentially impacting the supply of diesel, gasoline, and heating oil across eastern Germany.

The suspension highlights the continued volatility of European energy logistics as the continent navigates the fallout of regional conflict and infrastructure vulnerability.