Kazakhstan is set to sharply increase natural gas imports from Russia as it tries to meet rapidly rising domestic demand. According to Tass, a supplementary agreement with Russia’s Gazprom calls for supplies of about 11 billion cubic meters in 2026, up from roughly 4 bcm in 2025. The two sides are also discussing a possible purchase of as much as 9 bcm in 2027.
Although Kazakhstan has long been a net gas exporter, domestic consumption is growing quickly. The country’s gas production reached a record 68.1 bcm in 2025, but that output is no longer enough to fully offset the increase in local demand.
One of the main unknowns in the deal is pricing. Gazprom has not disclosed the financial terms. The article notes that for Russia, which has lost much of its lucrative European market because of the war in Ukraine, such contracts are important for sustaining export revenue. That could mean discounted supplies, giving Kazakhstan a relatively cheap way to cover domestic needs without sacrificing a large share of the income it earns from its own gas exports.
A similar pattern is emerging in Uzbekistan, where domestic gas production has been steadily declining in recent years. The country is increasing imports, mainly from Russia, while continuing to export gas to China and other markets. In 2025, Uzbek gas exports generated about $629 million in revenue, while imports, mostly Russian, were valued at $1.66 billion.
The decline in Uzbek output accelerated in 2026. Officials said 18.3 bcm were produced in the first half of the year, compared with 21.9 bcm in the same period a year earlier.
At the same time, new U.S. legislation could complicate the import plans of both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. A bill passed by Congress on September 16 and, according to the article, likely to be signed by President Donald Trump would add new tools to tighten pressure on Russia’s energy sector. It would allow the president to impose punitive tariffs on countries that buy Russian energy, while companies in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan could also face the risk of secondary sanctions.
