Ukrainian energy company Naftogaz has achieved a significant legal victory, as a court in Kazakhstan has authorized the enforcement of an arbitration ruling against Russian gas giant Gazprom. The International Financial Centre court in Astana recognized the arbitration decision, allowing Naftogaz to pursue approximately $1.4 billion in claims.
This ruling marks the first instance of a foreign court permitting the enforcement of an arbitration award against Gazprom in a separate jurisdiction. Naftogaz’s CEO, Serhiy Koretskyi, emphasized the importance of this decision in the ongoing efforts to recover funds from the Russian company.
Koretskyi stated, “We are consistently moving forward and working on executing the arbitration ruling in various jurisdictions. I thank the Naftogaz team for this result.”
The dispute originated from a 2019 contract concerning the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine. Following the onset of the full-scale war and the occupation of parts of Ukraine in May 2022, gas transit through the Sokhranivka entry point became impossible. Nevertheless, Naftogaz continued to provide services via the Sudzha point, but Gazprom refused to fully compensate for the gas transportation.
In September 2022, Naftogaz initiated proceedings in international arbitration in Switzerland. By June 2025, the arbitration tribunal found Gazprom entirely liable for breaching the contract and ordered the company to pay the debt, interest, and arbitration costs.
In January 2026, the Swiss Federal Tribunal dismissed Gazprom’s attempt to appeal this ruling. As Gazprom failed to voluntarily fulfill its obligations, Naftogaz began asset seizure procedures in multiple countries.
Naftogaz has secured a court ruling in Kazakhstan allowing it to enforce a $1.4 billion arbitration award against Gazprom. This decision represents a pivotal step in Naftogaz's international efforts to recover funds owed by the Russian energy company.