MEPs Urge EU to Add Alumina to Sanctions on Russia

A cross-party group of 47 European lawmakers sent a letter to the EU's trade and foreign policy chiefs urging immediate action against exports of alumina to Russia. The letter states that material from Ireland's Aughinish Alumina plant is being shipped to smelters in Russia's Siberia region and used in weapons such as drones and missiles.

The letter, addressed to High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič, calls the European Commission's decision not to include alumina in its latest sanctions package a serious mistake.

It asks the Commission to work with European industry to redirect Aughinish's output to European buyers through a public-private partnership. The letter was led by MEP Bart Groothuis and signed by lawmakers from across the political spectrum.

Office reported that 83 percent of Irish alumina exports went to Russia, though Aughinish has said the figure is a clerical error and put the share at 45 percent. The company is controlled by Oleg Deripaska, a sanctioned Russian oligarch. EU institutions have treated the matter as a domestic issue while awaiting the outcome of an Irish government inquiry into the exports.

The letter calls for alumina to be assessed for inclusion in the 22nd sanctions package against Russia.