Legality of Kazakhstan Using Russian Ports as of July 2025

Bilateral & international agreements
Kazakhstan and Russia have long-standing agreements governing the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) and other transit routes. These are legally binding commercial and intergovernmental frameworks.

Sanctions context:

USA-Western sanctions target Russian oil exports, but Kazakh oil is not sanctioned.

To avoid confusion, Kazakhstan’s CPC shipments are explicitly documented and “Kazakh origin” certificates are attached. This ensures legality in European and global markets.

Exceptions already granted:

The EU has issued waivers for Kazakhstan to move commodities (like coal, oil & Gas ) via Russian ports despite wider sanctions on Russia.

This shows international recognition that Kazakhstan’s transit through Russia is legitimate and should not be blocked

Main Legal Export Ports for Kazakhstan to load their Fuels.

        Ust-Luga |  Primorsk | Tuapse | Novorossiysk | Kozmino | 

• Novorossiysk (Black Sea) — CPC pipeline terminal, handling ~80% of Kazakh crude exports.

• CPC is structured as an international consortium, not solely Russian-controlled, which strengthens its legal standing

  Summary :
  Kazakhstan’s use of Russian ports — is fully legal under international law and recognized agreements. Western sanctions apply to Russian-origin oil, not Kazakh exports, so as long as Kazakhstan’s fuel  is certified as non-Russian, it can legally move to world markets through Russian territory.