Sibiga called on the EU to impose a complete ban on Russian alumina
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga called on European Union countries to intensify sanctions against Russia and impose a complete embargo on Russian alumina.
He made this statement during an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in the “Gimnih” format in Ireland.
Sybiga called on the EU to exert maximum pressure on the Russian war machine so that Moscow cannot adapt to the sanctions. Among the measures proposed by Ukraine are sanctions against manufacturers of ballistic missiles, restrictions on Russian companies and citizens, and restrictions on the “Rassvet” satellite system.
Separately, the foreign minister called for intensifying the fight against Russia’s “shadow fleet,” sanctions against Rosatom and Roscosmos, and stricter restrictions on travel by Russian citizens to Europe.
The issue of an embargo on Russian alumina is particularly sensitive for Ireland, which currently holds the presidency of the EU Council. The country is home to the Aughinish plant, owned by the Russian aluminum group Rusal.
According to the Irish Times, in the first half of 2026, Aughinish shipped 422,474 metric tons of alumina to Russia, worth 119.5 million euros.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
The U.S. House of Representatives did not include on its agenda a bill by the late Senator Lindsey Graham to increase sanctions pressure on Russia.
On September 2, EU ambassadors will consider new sanctions against 27 individuals and organizations linked to the forced removal and ideological indoctrination of Ukrainian children in Russia. They aim to finalize the decision ahead of the international conference of the Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, which will take place in Toronto in September.
