Zelenskiy demands EU sanctions on Irish alumina plant as Dublin nears war probe conclusion

A high‑stakes visit in Dublin

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrived in the Irish capital on Wednesday to attend the opening ceremony of Ireland’s six‑month presidency of the Council of the European Union. The visit immediately became a platform for a direct appeal to close what Kyiv sees as a glaring loophole in the EU’s sanctions regime: the continued operation of a Russian‑owned alumina refinery in County Limerick.

Speaking at Dublin Castle alongside Taoiseach Micheál Martin and European Council President António Costa, Zelenskiy urged European leaders to expand sanctions to cover companies whose only purpose is to work for Russia. The Ukrainian leader made a thinly veiled reference to the Aughinish plant, telling the audience, “Unfortunately, there are companies in Europe that are owned or effectively controlled by Russia and its sanctioned oligarchs. They keep supplying the aggressor with essential materials, even now.”

The plant and the investigation

Aughinish Alumina, situated on the Shannon estuary, is Europe’s largest refinery of alumina – the feedstock for aluminium production. It is owned by Rusal, the metals giant founded by sanctioned oligarch Oleg Deripaska. For months, the facility has faced mounting pressure after investigations revealed it continues to export large quantities of alumina to Rusal smelters in Russia, where the material can be turned into aluminium for missiles, tanks and aircraft.

Dublin has commissioned an investigation into whether those exports contribute to the Russian war effort. During a joint press conference following bilateral talks on the issue, Martin said the inquiry is nearing its conclusion and promised his government would “take it up” with the European Commission once it is finalised.

“We do not want to be in a position where material emanating from a plant in Ireland goes to support the Russian war machine.”

Zelenskiy was blunt about his expectation of speed.

“Every tonne of raw material that ends up in Russia is used against us in this war. We hope we won’t have to wait for a month.”

He added that he was grateful the Irish government was conducting the investigation and hoped for a positive outcome for Ukraine.

Swedish ruling adds pressure

The urgency of the case was underscored by a parallel development in Sweden. Swedish tax authorities have determined that Rusal, and by extension all of its European operations including Aughinish, should be subject to EU asset‑freeze measures targeting Russia. The ruling, which emerged from a Swedish investigation, has immediate consequences only for Rusal’s Kubal smelter in Sweden, but it intensifies the scrutiny on Ireland’s refinery.

The Irish government has so far defended keeping Aughinish off the sanctions list, citing the plant’s role as a vital employer – about 500 direct staff and roughly 1 000 related jobs – and a key part of European supply chains. The EU’s 21st sanctions package, adopted last month, did not include restrictions on Irish alumina. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas noted that future packages could include such limits if member states reach unanimity.

Presidency and next steps

Ireland took over the rotating EU presidency on 1 July, and Martin has pledged “steadfast support” for Ukraine across political, financial and military dimensions. He said Dublin would work to step up pressure on Moscow, including through a forthcoming 22nd sanctions package. At the ceremony, Zelenskiy framed the presidency as a moment of responsibility, saying the EU must “support every step that makes it hard for Russia to continue such a war.”

The Irish investigation is expected to conclude shortly. Martin’s promise to bring the findings to the European Commission – combined with the Swedish tax ruling and Zelenskiy’s very public call – sets the stage for a potentially decisive discussion at the EU level in the coming weeks.