
Oil, Uranium and Critical Minerals: Why Kazakhstan Matters to Europe
The EU is Kazakhstan's largest trading partner, with mineral products dominating exports, while Astana seeks to diversify its economy beyond raw materials.

The EU is Kazakhstan's largest trading partner, with mineral products dominating exports, while Astana seeks to diversify its economy beyond raw materials.

Europe cut Russian gas imports from 45% to 12% since 2021, but Middle East tensions triggered the largest coordinated IEA oil stock release on record in 2026. Brussels answered with the AccelerateEU package and a new EU energy security law, though 57% of EU energy remains imported fossil fuel.











