A Kazakhstani court has blocked the collection of $1.4 billion from Gazprom: what does the new ruling mean for Naftogaz?
9 July 05:54
The Astana International Financial Center (AIFC) Court has overturned a previous decision to enforce an international arbitration award in favor of NAK “Naftogaz of Ukraine” within Kazakhstan. The case involved the recovery of approximately $1.4 billion from Russia’s Gazprom. This was reported by Forbes Kazakhstan, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
On July 7, the Astana International Financial Center’s court of first instance reviewed its own decision, issued in May, and concluded that this case did not fall within its jurisdiction.
The court noted that the legislation governing the Astana International Financial Center sets out an exhaustive list of categories of cases that may be heard by the court. The dispute between NAK “Naftogaz of Ukraine” and PJSC “Gazprom” does not fall within this list.
In addition, the court pointed out that the provisions on the recognition of arbitral awards primarily concern awards issued by the Astana International Financial Center Arbitration Center, rather than those of any international arbitration institutions.
What Has Changed Since the Case Was Reviewed
As a reminder, on May 15, 2026, Judge Andrew Spink granted Naftogaz’s motion to recognize and enforce in Kazakhstan the International Chamber of Commerce award rendered in Switzerland.
However, during the new hearing, the court heard arguments from both sides and determined that the previous decision had been rendered without the participation of Gazprom representatives.
As a result, the court revoked the authorization to enforce the arbitral award in Kazakhstan.
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What caused the dispute between Naftogaz and Gazprom
The legal dispute relates to a contract for the transit of Russian natural gas through Ukraine, signed in 2019.
In June 2025, an international arbitration tribunal in Switzerland ordered Gazprom to pay Naftogaz $1.37 billion in compensation for breaching its contractual obligations.
Following this, the Ukrainian company initiated proceedings in various countries around the world to have this ruling recognized and enforced against the Russian monopoly’s assets.
Statements from Kazakhstan
Earlier, the Kazakh Ministry of Justice emphasized that the country would not serve as a venue for the enforcement of court or arbitration awards that have no direct legal connection to Kazakhstan.
This was one of the key arguments during the review of the case in the ICAC.
Will Naftogaz lose its right to compensation?
The court’s decision in Astana does not overturn the arbitral award issued in Switzerland, nor does it deprive Naftogaz of the right to demand payment of the awarded funds from Gazprom.
The verdict merely means that Kazakhstan will not enforce this decision on its territory due to a lack of jurisdiction.
The Ukrainian company may continue to seek relief in the courts of other countries where Gazprom’s assets may be located, in order to seize them and subsequently recover the funds.
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