Russia and Kazakhstan are discussing a possible “gas Union” to support shipments to the three countries, as well as to other energy buyers like China, Interfax reported Tuesday.
Novak did not provide any further information about the gas union or the stage at which the discussions were taking place.
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According to a spokesman for the Kazakh President Kassym Jomart Tokayev, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested such an idea during a Monday meeting with Tokayev. He did not provide any details.
Russia is a major exporter of natural gas, but Uzbekistan (and Kazakhstan) produce about the same amount as they consume. They are linked by a gas pipeline that runs to Russia and another pipeline that crosses them on the way to China.
Both pipelines pump gas mostly from Turkmenistan. Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have not reported any transit shipments to China of Russian gas.