AKIPRESS.COM - Lukoil, Russia's largest private oil company, is planning to enter the retail fuel market in neighbouring Kazakhstan by launching a franchisee project, four sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Russian oil companies are showing keen interest in Central Asia after their access to European markets was impacted by EU and G7 sanctions.

According to the sources, Lukoil is planning to offer local fuel retailers a franchise scheme and to supply them with gasoline from Russia and Kazakhstan.