EU Hesitates to Impose Sanctions on Aughinish Alumina Plant

Officials in the European Union are struggling to impose restrictions on the Aughinish Alumina plant, which is accused of supplying raw materials to the Russian defense industry. In Brussels, there are concerns that sanctions could cut off important supplies of raw materials for European aluminum producers serving the automotive and defense sectors. The Aughinish Alumina plant, part of the Russian conglomerate Rusal, provides about 37% of the alumina consumed in Europe. EU officials believe that the introduction of restrictions is unlikely, as it could threaten the viability of the plant and create a raw material shortage in the EU. According to the Irish government, in the first five months of 2026, the plant sent 52% of its production to Russia and 34% to France, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Despite this, Irish authorities have not found sufficient evidence of direct supply of the plant's products for the needs of the Russian defense industry. Brussels is expected not to return to discussions on sanctions until the end of August, as it is necessary to find alternative sources of raw materials and obtain the consent of all 27 member states. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky previously urged the EU to impose sanctions on the plant, but Ireland insists on considering the EU's raw material needs for aluminum.

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