European lawmakers have thrown their weight behind a non-binding resolution urging a halt to alumina shipments to Russia, intensifying the spotlight on Ireland and other member states to close what critics see as a gap in sanctions against Moscow.
During a Wednesday vote in Strasbourg, the European Parliament adopted an amendment calling for stronger EU measures, including a complete prohibition on alumina exports to Russia. The broader resolution on Ukraine and sanctions passed decisively, with 460 members in favor, 136 opposed, and 59 abstaining.
Although the measure lacks legal force—EU sanctions require unanimous approval from all 27 member states—the parliamentary backing adds political momentum ahead of future discussions, especially after alumina exports were excluded from the bloc’s latest sanctions package.
Dutch lawmaker Thijs Reuten, a co-author of the amendment, noted that the vote signals a European consensus that all nations must contribute and should set aside narrow domestic interests. He argued that cutting off alumina supplies, particularly from a firm tied to a Kremlin-linked oligarch, would hamper Russia’s war economy.
At the heart of the issue is Aughinish Alumina, a refinery in Ireland owned by Russian giant Rusal. Since 2023, the facility has exported over half of its alumina to Russian smelters, data reviewed by OCCRP shows. Those smelters reportedly supply sanctioned Russian arms manufacturers. While no direct link was traced to specific weapons, the smelters sold more than $650 million worth of aluminum to a trader that supplied over 40 EU-sanctioned arms companies.
The vote revealed divisions among Irish representatives. Fine Gael’s four lawmakers backed the ban call, while Fianna Fáil’s four abstained. Fine Gael leader Seán Kelly stressed the need for broader sanctions to deprive Russia of resources, but also emphasized protecting jobs at the plant. Fianna Fáil’s Barry Andrews, who abstained, said he supported ending the trade but criticized the amendment’s language for not adequately considering risks to European supply chains.
Pressure on Ireland has been mounting. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy raised the issue during a recent Dublin visit, urging a swift conclusion to an investigation into whether Irish alumina ends up in Russian weapons. Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin said the probe is near completion and will be discussed with the European Commission. Aughinish has maintained it complies with all EU laws and denies any links to Russian weaponry.
The parliamentary move follows earlier calls in May for the Commission to examine export restrictions after investigations into the refinery’s operations.