No contradiction between Ireland's support for Ukraine and alumina shipments to Russia, says Helen McEntee

In Kyiv on Tuesday, Helen McEntee reaffirmed the Government's support for the Ukrainian cause and said the alumina records did nothing to contradict that support. File picture: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie

There is no contradiction between Ireland's support for Ukraine and materials made in Limerick being part of Russia's war machine, the foreign affairs minister has said.

Trading records have shown that shipments to Russian smelters from Aughinish Alumina, a company located on the Shannon estuary in Limerick and owned by the Russian aluminium group Rusal since 2006, have increased sharply since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. 

Ireland exported $243m of alumina to Russia in 2022, but this rose by 55% to $376m in 2024. 

There are concerns that the alumina going to smelters in Russia ultimately becomes aluminium that is then sold to dozens of Russian arms manufacturers.

Aughinish is Ireland’s only producer of alumina.

In Kyiv on Tuesday, Helen McEntee reaffirmed the Government's support for the Ukrainian cause and said the alumina records did nothing to contradict that support.

"I don't think there is (a contradiction), because I don't think we could be any clearer in our support for Ukraine. 

"From the moment this invasion happened, we have been absolutely determined to support Ukraine, however we can, whether it's been 120,000 Ukrainians in Ireland, whether it's the impact that we've provided, almost €500m, be it humanitarian support, be it non-lethal military support, be it the critical infrastructure funding more recently.

I would be as concerned as anybody to hear that there are potentially components that are finding their way into lethal equipment, and that they're causing the destruction that we've seen here today.

Ms McEntee said she believed the EU must pass its 20th round of sanctions on Russia and that it was "frustrating" it had been held up by Hungary's veto.

"What was made clear to me today is that the investment in critical infrastructure that's been decimated, preparation for winter that they're already trying to put in place because of the cold this year."

During her first day in the Ukrainian capital, Ms McEntee visited Bucha, where Russian troops four years ago were found to have committed a massacre of local people as they exited the town. She said the visit had brought home the reality of what happened.

"We hear things and feel we've become somewhat numb to atrocities, but when you're here, it brings it back to home. I think Ukrainian people themselves have been very restrained in how they've responded and very dignified. 

"It has probably spurred me to be even more vocal and to make sure that during our EU presidency, that this is front and centre in everything that we do."

Ms McEntee said Ireland should be more proactive in seeking to access defence funding under the Security Action for Europe (Safe) funding scheme.

"I think we should be working closely with Ukraine, the EU as a whole, when it comes to procurement, when it comes to defence equipment and we've already had these conversations with the defence ministers at council meetings. 

"It's certainly something that I'd be open to exploring, and if Safe opens up again, I'd be advocating for us to be part of that.

"This is funding that we pay into, so I think we should be making sure that we benefit from it as well when it comes to our defence."

Ms McEntee continues her visit to Kyiv on Wednesday.

• Paul Hosford is Acting Political Editor in Kyiv.