Russia plans to suspend Kazakh oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline to Germany's PCK refinery, threatening supplies to Berlin and its airport. The move targets the EU's largest arms supplier to Ukraine and could disrupt 90% of the German capital's petrol, kerosene, and heating fuel. The refinery, seized by Berlin after Russia's 2022 invasion, relies heavily on Kazakh crude since losing access to Russian oil.

A senior Kazakh official confirmed Moscow excluded Druzhba from May's oil delivery schedule, though exports via this route remain relatively small for Kazakhstan. Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov suggested technical issues from Ukrainian drone attacks might explain the disruption, but critics view it as Moscow's latest energy weapon against Europe. The PCK refinery, located near Schwedt, has been a pawn in the Ukraine conflict since Berlin assumed operational control while Rosneft retains 54% ownership.

The suspension follows Russia's pattern of halting energy supplies to Europe, including the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline shutdown. PCK already faces challenges after Trump administration sanctions nearly pushed it to bankruptcy last year. With Kazakhstan as its main supplier alongside German and Polish ports, the refinery's future remains uncertain as Moscow continues leveraging energy exports in its standoff with the West.