Alumina's Exclusion from EU Sanctions on Russia Questioned Amid Irish Exports
A letter questions why alumina is excluded from EU sanctions on Russia, despite reports of Aughinish Alumina in Limerick shipping large quantities to Russia for weapons manufacturing. The author contrasts this with a recent Russian missile attack in Kyiv, asking if local jobs supersede Ukrainian lives.
The exclusion of alumina from current EU sanctions against Russia has drawn scrutiny, particularly following reports that Aughinish Alumina in Limerick is exporting substantial quantities of its product to Russian smelters. This alumina is subsequently processed and utilized in the manufacturing of various military armaments, including missiles, tanks, and other weapons.
This concern was highlighted in a letter referencing a May 19th report, which noted an EU sanctions official's statement that the bloc would prevent the sale of goods for use in Russia’s military. The letter also recalled a May 15th report detailing a targeted Russian missile attack that resulted in the deaths of 24 individuals, including three teenagers, after flattening a Kyiv apartment building. The author questioned whether the prioritization of local employment outweighs the humanitarian cost to Ukrainian lives.