ALMATY (Reuters – Russian retailers Magnit & Lenta are currently in negotiations with their suppliers regarding importing goods through Kazakhstan, Russia’s south neighbour and close partner. A Kazakh official was quoted saying this on Tuesday.

Volatility and disruptions in supply chains have plagued the Russian market after President Vladimir Putin deployed troops into Ukraine on February 24, as part of what Moscow calls a “special army operation,” to reduce Kiev’s military capability and eliminate what it considers dangerous nationalists.

To force Russia to withdraw its military forces, the West has put on a stringent sanctions. However, many companies around the world have stopped operating in Russia or temporarily suspended all relations with Russia.

Russian retailers might be able to solve some of the issues created by the sanctions through Kazakhstani intermediary businesses.

YerkebulanOrazalin is the head of the entrepreneurship investment and entrepreneurship department in Almaty. This city is the largest in Kazakhstan. According to Kazakh news site Tengrinews.kz, Magnit and Lenta are looking at products whose supplies directly to Russia have been limited.