OREANDA-NEWS The German authorities consider Kazakhstan as an important trading partner and assistant in reducing dependence on Russian energy supplies. This was stated by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, his words are quoted by TASS.

It is planned to reduce Germany's dependence on imports of Russian energy resources by expanding the routes for the delivery of crude oil from Kazakhstan. The Chancellor expressed hope that the authorities of the Central Asian country will help him in this matter.

In addition, he thanked the leadership of Kazakhstan for its assistance to the EU in implementing a policy of compliance with existing international sanctions against Russia. "It is good and useful that the Government of Kazakhstan supports us in efforts to prevent circumvention of sanctions and has taken active measures to counteract (circumvention of restrictions — approx. <url>)," Scholz concluded during a joint press conference with President of Kazakhstan Kassym—Jomart Tokayev.

On March 16, the German Chancellor called for making it impossible to circumvent EU sanctions against Russia. Otherwise, the efforts of the EU authorities to contain the Russian Federation will become meaningless. Then Scholz stressed that the European authorities will continue to increase sanctions pressure on Russia in order to further block the possibility of circumventing restrictions through third countries.