Irish PM: Investigation into alumina supplies to Russia to conclude soon

Ireland's investigation into alumina shipments to Russia from the Aughinish Alumina refinery is expected to be completed within the coming weeks, after which its findings will be submitted to the European Commission to discuss possible next steps, Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin said during a press conference.

According to Report's European bureau, the investigation is being conducted by Ireland's Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Martin noted that alumina is not currently subject to European Union sanctions and that any further decisions will be made after the investigation is completed and consultations with the European Commission take place.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, for her part, said she is awaiting the outcome of the Irish investigation, after which its findings will be reviewed jointly with Dublin.

In recent months, shipments of alumina to Russia from the Irish refinery, which is owned by the Russian company RUSAL, have been the subject of a series of critical reports in European and international media.

The central issue has been whether such exports comply with the EU sanctions regime and whether the alumina is being used as a raw material for Russia's military industry.