ALMATY -- Kazakhstan is considering exporting oil to China if Western countries impose tougher sanctions against Russia, RIA news reported Tuesday, citing the Ministry of National Economy.

The present situation suggests that the anti-Russian sanctions will not affect oil and gas supply to Europe from Russia, including Kazakh oil through pipelines in Russia, said the ministry.

However, the issue of diversifying oil exports is being addressed and the largest potential market for Kazakhstan's oil is China, it said, adding other alternatives include Iran and Azerbaijan.

Minister of National Economy Yerbolat Dossayev said that Kazakhstan has prepared solutions in case of the introduction of further sanctions against Russia.

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