Aughinish Alumina exports not included in draft EU Russia sanctions package
The European Commission's latest draft of sanctions against Russia does not currently include a ban on alumina exports from the Aughinish Alumina plant in Ireland. While some EU members are pushing for restrictions, the plant has warned that such measures could threaten its operations and local employment.
Why it matters
The situation highlights the tension between imposing economic sanctions on Russia and protecting domestic industrial jobs within the EU.
Sanctions prohibiting Aughinish Alumina from continuing to export material to Russia are not included in a draft of the European Commission ’s next package of measures targeting the Russian wartime economy.
The EU’s member states will be asked to weigh in on what will be the union’s 22nd round of economic sanctions, which are intended to make it harder for Moscow to wage its war in Ukraine .
Confidential discussions will take place over the coming weeks between commission officials and senior diplomats from all 27 EU states to sound out support for the draft sanctions package, and make changes, before governments start negotiating between themselves.
The Estonian foreign ministry has said it plans to push for Brussels officials to sanction alumina, a move that would prohibit Aughinish from shipping the product to Russia.
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