Kyrgyzstan's fuel supplies appear to be safe, at least in the short-term.
According to the head of the country's Oil Trader's Association, Zhumakadyr Akeneyev, there would be "no fuel shortage" after a deal had been struck with Russia for the delivery of several million tons of duty-free fuel. While he acknowledged that there were tensions between Russia and neighbouring Kazakhstan, he stated that his own country's fuel supplies were safe.
The reassurances came after months of fuel shortages and rationing. In July last year, Gazprom's decision to stop exporting fuel to certain nations left the Kyrgyz fuel outlets with no supplies, leading to natonal rationing. In February this year, the situation prompted a government summit meeting after Akeneyev stated that severe shortages were inevitable.
By the begining of October, Akeneyev was defending fuel and lubes price rises, blaming exchange rates and the costs of Russian supplies, although he stated there was enough fuel to see out the autumn agricultural cycle. Finally, came his latest announcement that longer-term supplies were secure, although Russia's Energy Minister warned that short-term supply issues could still occur due to refinery maintenance combined with increased fuel demand over the winter.