Ireland has been challenged by High Representative Kaja Kallas to clarify whether its ongoing supplies of alumina to Russia contribute to the development of the drones and missiles that attack Ukraine.
Drones and missiles that kill civilians in Ukraine shouldn’t contain any European goods. With less than a month till Ireland assumes the six-month presidency of the EU Council, the timing of the accusations is especially delicate.
Aughinish Alumina, the factory at the center of the controversy, has been the subject of an investigation, McEntee stated while standing by her side. He pledged to share the results with the European Commission after the study is finished.”I’ve made it very clear that we continue to firmly support Ukraine,” McEntee stated. We will make sure that Ireland fully supports any choices that must be made in order to exert pressure on Russia,” she continued.
Kallas said he had faith in the Irish government’s inquiry. We need to be clear about the facts,” she stated. Although sales of raw and refined aluminum products to Russia were previously prohibited, alumina was not part of the package.
Kallas acknowledged that some member states supported an EU ban on alumina exports when asked to explain the decision, but he implied that unanimity was still lacking. Additionally, Ukraine has urged the union to act quickly on the raw material.
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