Moscow does not rule out that other countries might also join the "gas union" among Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, according to the director of the Economic Cooperation Department at the Foreign Ministry, Dmitri Birichevski.

Moscow.- “We do not rule out the possibility of expanding trilateral cooperation in the gas sector. We know that other States are showing interest in cooperation in the gas field, and we are open to it, as long as it is mutually beneficial and constructive,” the official told the Sputnik news agency.

In November 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Kazakh counterpart, Kasim-Yomart Tokaev, met in Moscow to discuss the creation of a “triple gas union” and coordinate the transportation of Russian fuel through Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

According to Kremlin Spokesman Dmitri Peskov, the idea of a “triple alliance” contemplates the possibility of creating a coordination mechanism in the first phase, possibly via some sort of legal entity.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexandr Novak, in turn, stressed that the three countries have great potential for cooperation in the gas sector, including supply and processing.

Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vasilenko pointed out that the project to create a “gas union” between the three countries must be studied by experts before a decision is made at the State level, including the risks of sanctions. (PL)