Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has urged Ireland to complete its investigation into whether alumina exports from the Aughinish plant are contributing to Russian weapons production, pressing for a swift result during a visit to Dublin as part of the country’s rotating EU presidency.
“We are grateful to the government that Ireland is conducting the relevant investigation. We definitely hope for a positive result for us and we really hope we won’t have to wait months for this result,” Zelenskiy said at a joint news conference with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin. “Every tonne of raw material that ends up in Russia is used against us,” he added.
The Aughinish Alumina plant in southwest Ireland is Europe’s largest alumina refinery and continues to export the material to Russia despite mounting political pressure. The plant is owned by Rusal, the Russian aluminium giant. Alumina is a feedstock for aluminium production, which is used in a wide range of Russian military systems.
The EU did not include alumina exports to Russia or reference the Irish plant in its 21st sanctions package last month. However, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas indicated that limits on Irish alumina exports to Russia could be included in future sanctions packages if unanimity among member states can be secured.
Martin, who invited Zelenskiy to Dublin for the start of Ireland’s six-month EU Council presidency, said the investigation was nearing completion and that Dublin would discuss its findings with the European Commission once finalised. “We do not want to be in a position where material emanating from a plant in Ireland goes to support the Russian war machine,” he said, while also defending the EU’s decision to leave the plant off current sanctions packages by citing its importance to EU supply chains.
