Ireland Finds No Proof Alumina Aids Russian Arms

An Irish investigation into exports from Aughinish Alumina, Europe’s largest alumina refinery, found no concrete or definitive evidence that the material was being used to manufacture weapons in Russia. However, Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin said the investigation had also been unable to rule out that possibility entirely.

Martin made the remarks at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a visit to Kyiv.

The refinery in southwest Ireland is owned by Russian aluminum producer Rusal and supplies a raw material essential for aluminum production. The European Union has exempted the plant from its sanctions because Ireland considers it strategically important to European supply chains.

Martin said the investigation was nearing completion and that Dublin would work with the European Commission to find ways to prevent exports to Russia even in the absence of direct sanctions. Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine was continuing to press for a complete EU ban on alumina exports to Russia.

(Reuters, Max)