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EU Commission holds off on sanctioning Aughinish Alumina
Officials said sanctions would risk disrupting Europe’s aluminium supply chain, as Aughinish supplies several EU smelters and employs 475 people.
- The European Commission decided not to include Aughinish Alumina in its 21st sanctions package against Russia, citing concerns that restricting the Shannon-based plant's exports would disrupt the vital aluminium supply chain across Europe.
- Investigations by the Irish Times and the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project alleged that alumina from the Limerick plant, owned by Russian metals giant Rusal, was converted into aluminium for weapons manufacturers supplying the Russian military.
- Aughinish Alumina Managing Director Ciaran Kelleher lobbied the Government, claiming 55% of 2025 exports served Europe; Central Statistics Office data showed 66.8% went to Russia, contradicting the company's account.
- Taoiseach Micheál Martin claimed on May 29 that including the factory in sanctions would be "self-defeating," arguing such restrictions would harm the European economy more than it would Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- The European Commission expects to conclude a draft legal text for the 21st sanctions package on June 15, though member states must reach consensus despite previous calls from MEPs for an alumina export ban.
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Data reveals Irish alumina factory exporting more product to Russia than government claimed
Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin claimed on May 29 that including Aughinish Alumina in the EU's next round of sanctions would be "self-defeating," harming Europe's economy more than Russia's — despite evidence that the factory is supplying materials to produce weapons used in Ukraine.
·Kyiv, Ukraine
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EU Commission holds off on sanctioning Aughinish Alumina
The European Commission has decided not to propose sanctions at this time on Aughinish Alumina, the Shannon-based plant owned by a Russian company, which has been accused of exporting alumina that has ended up in Russian weapons and armaments used against civilian targets in Ukraine.
·Ireland
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Total News Sources8
Leaning Left4Leaning Right1Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Left
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources lean Left
67% Left
L 67%
C 17%
R 16%
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