In his statement, Akkenzhenov noted that the letter was sent to the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (OFAC), which must approve the transaction under the sanctions regime.
The purchase concerns Lukoil's shares in significant oil and gas projects in Kazakhstan, including the Karachaganak and Tengiz fields, as well as the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, through which the majority of Kazakhstan's oil is exported.
The minister emphasized that according to national legislation, the republic has a preferential right to buy back these assets.
Reuters also reminds that under the sanctions, Lukoil must sell its foreign assets by February 28.
