Russia’s Fuel Crisis Is Pushing the Kremlin Toward Kazakhstan

Grappling with a severe shortage, Russia is seeking to purchase a significant volume of gasoline from neighboring Kazakhstan. Astana appears hesitant to fulfill the request, however, apparently concerned that doing so might entail consequences for the Central Asian nation’s own energy exports. The Reuters news agency first reported that Russian officials had approached Kazakh authorities seeking to obtain 50,000 tons of gas. Ukrainian drone attacks in recent months have devastated Russian refineries, creating a severe shortage and long lines…