Kazakhstan's energy ministry has informed the U.S. government that it holds a preemptive right to buy out Lukoil's assets within the country, which have come under scrutiny due to U.S. sanctions. These sanctions were implemented to exert pressure on Russia to halt its military actions in Ukraine, leading Lukoil to seek buyers for its foreign assets. The urgency of the situation is heightened by the impending expiration of Lukoil's license to sell its overseas assets, which is set to end soon, prompting Kazakhstan to act quickly and formally submit its bid to the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for approval.