As scrutiny intensifies over claims involving a major Irish refinery and Russia’s war effort, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas says the priority is simple: establish the facts — and she is relying on Ireland to do it.
Aughinish Alumina, based in Limerick, is facing allegations that alumina shipped from the plant ends up in the Russian war machine, helping to fuel an offensive that has killed thousands in Ukraine.
In an interview on RTÉ’s Six One, Ms Kallas said the full picture of what is happening around the refinery is not yet clear. What is clear, she added, is that the war is inflicting deep harm not only on Ukraine but on Europe as well.
“So we want this war to stop. And sometimes companies are thinking that, ‘I still benefit from this, and it doesn’t really concern me’.
“But then saying at the same time that we want this war to stop, but we haven’t actually made all the efforts that we can to force Russia to stop this war.
“So that’s why it is important that we look into what more can we do.
“Because I think having this war ongoing is more damaging to everybody than stopping it.”
Ms Kallas said she does not have all the facts about Aughinish Alumina and that statements issued by the company will be examined.
She added: “There are companies that are suffering more of the sanctions than the others. But again, if you think that you’re benefiting from the trade with Russia that actually is fueling this war, then we are not doing all the efforts that we can.”
Ms Kallas also said advance warning is not normally given ahead of sanctions decisions, arguing that prior notice can allow a firm to reorganise and blunt the intended impact.
Watch: full interview with Kaja Kallas on Six One News
Kaja Kallas was speaking in Dublin following meetings with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs
Ms Kallas is in Dublin today, where she met Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee, ahead of Ireland taking up the six-month Presidency of the Council of the EU next month.
At a joint news conference with Minister McEntee, both were challenged on the controversy surrounding the rise in exports from Aughinish Alumina to Russia.
Ms Kallas said: “The investigations are ongoing, and for us it’s important that we get the facts straight. Now we are trusting the Irish Government to do this investigation.”
The Department of Enterprise is examining the claims, though its inquiry has not yet been completed.
Minister Helen McEntee confirmed the matter was raised in the meeting.
“Of course, we discussed the issue of Aughinish Alumina, and I have made it very clear that our support remains firmly with Ukraine, and that once the investigation that is underway concludes, that information will be provided to the commission, and we will work directly with them.
“We will ensure that any decisions that need to be taken to put pressure on Russia, that they will have the full support of Ireland.”
Ms Kallas was also asked why alumina was not part of the 21st round of EU sanctions against Russia announced today.
“We have a huge list of companies, including also crypto that we haven’t had in that amount before, oil refineries and all.
“It is always a question, what more can we do, and I think this case shows that we should also look into this, that the material that Russia needs to continue with its war, whether it’s, you know, different types of metals, whether it’s oil refinery products that they need, we need to look at, and we have to be creative in coming up with the next sanctions.”
Ms Kallas said EU member states do not share a single view on whether alumina should be added to any future sanctions list.
Europe decides what gets sanctioned – Taoiseach
Taoiseach Micheál Martin meeting the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas at Iveagh House
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has previously said including alumina would be “self-defeating”, warning it could damage the EU more than it would hurt Russia.
In the Dáil, Mr Martin said Ireland will “work with” the European Commission to try to resolve the situation, while cautioning opposition parties that there is “no magical solution” to the controversy.
Mr Martin was responded to Labour leader Ivana Bacik during the latest Leaders’ Questions debate today.
After Deputy Bacik told him “a solution must be found” that protects Irish jobs and addresses the concerns raised about the plant, the Taoiseach said the issue is complicated and, crucially, not solely for Ireland to determine — describing it as a “European competency, the EU decides what gets sanctioned”.
He said “we will work with the European Commission in respect of Aughinish”, but stressed: “When I heard you say ‘many, many jobs are at stake and a solution must be found’, lets all be very honest.
“I don’t think I should sugar-coat it and say there’s a magical solution, it’ll all be alright on the other side. It’s a European competency, Europe decides what gets sanctioned.”
EU to ban Russian combatants in latest sanctions
The European Commission today adopted its 21st sanctions package against Russia, more than four years after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The latest measures include a ban on Russian combatants entering the European Union, the addition of 30 ships to a list that already includes 632 targets, and sanctions against 31 more Russian banks.
EU member states will have several weeks to assess the package before it becomes law.
The 21st package of sanctions will see Russian combatants banned from entering the EU (File image)
It is understood that Aughinish Alumina, the Co Limerick refinery at the centre of controversy over rising alumina exports to Russia, was not included in the new sanctions package.
The export of hundreds of thousands of tonnes of alumina from Aughinish to Russia has drawn growing attention and notoriety in international media coverage.
The allegation — first reported in March by a consortium of European outlets, including the Irish Times — is that alumina shipped from the plant ultimately ends up in weapons systems used by Russia, contributing to the killing of tens of thousands of civilians in Ukraine.
Aughinish has said it is complying with EU sanctions. However, because alumina itself has not been sanctioned, that position has not satisfied sceptics — including a rising number of Irish MEPs who say they are being questioned by colleagues in Brussels.
It is understood that senior EU officials and several member states believe the issue requires deeper assessment, amid concerns that sanctioning a company supplying Europe with more than 30% of its alumina needs could prove more damaging to the EU than to Russia.
For the next six months, Ireland will take on responsibility for planning and chairing EU Council meetings and negotiations, and representing the council in discussions with the European Parliament and the European Commission.
About 30,000 delegates are expected to visit Ireland over that period, with meetings taking place across four-and-a-half months when breaks in August and the Christmas period are excluded.
Additional reporting Tony Connelly
