There is no concrete evidence to prove or disprove whether alumina exports from Ireland to Russia ended up being used by weapons manufacturers, the Irish premier has said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he would support sanctions on alumina, but also that he supported other ways of placing restrictions on alumina exported from Ireland.
Micheál Martin said he had briefed Mr Zelensky in a meeting in Kyiv on Thursday about an Irish investigation into alumina exports from a Limerick-based refinery.
He said the probe was “almost complete” and the results would be shared with the European Commission.
“The investigation has not found concrete or definitive evidence linking the alumina to a weapons manufacturer in Russia,” he said at a joint press conference at the Mariinskyi Palace.
“That said, neither has it found definitive evidence that alumina may not be going to weapons manufacturers, so it’s difficult.
“So what we’re going to do now is we’re going to share the investigation with the European Commission, because this is both an Irish issue and a European issue in terms of alumina.”
Speaking through an interpreter, Mr Zelensky said: “Speaking about sanctions, we support sanctioning of the relevant production, and the Taoiseach and I have discussed this today.”
He suggested that efforts could be made at national level to restrict the export of alumina products to Russia.
“So the number one task that we have – the issue – is that this does not reach Russia, so that this does not help weapons production and so that this does not fund this war.
“If this can be achieved by certain internal steps, we would support these processes, but the EU task and sanctions, we also take this with us and we will raise this issue with the EU.”
Ireland also announced a further 125 million euro for Ukraine for this year, in addition to 65 million euro announced earlier this year.
Mr Martin said 100 million euro of this funding would be directed towards “meeting Ukraine’s defence needs”, including non-lethal military assistance to strengthen Ukraine’s air defences against drones.
Mr Zelensky thanked Ireland for its support and in particular mentioned the “very warm” attitude towards Ukrainian refugees in Ireland.
He called for Ireland to show leadership on Ukrainian efforts to join the EU.
Mr Martin’s visit to Kyiv comes as Mr Zelensky is under pressure domestically over a controversial government reshuffle last week.
Mr Zelensky fired his new commander-in-chief, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, 60, a veteran trained in the Soviet Union, and replaced him with Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi, part of a new generation of Ukrainian generals who have come up through the ranks during the battle against Russian aggression.
Mr Zelensky has also come under pressure over the removal of defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who is credited with developing the drone technology which has given Ukraine a battlefield edge.
At a press conference with Mr Martin on Thursday, Mr Zelensky was asked about which roles had been offered to Mr Fedorov, and said he was offered vice prime minister of Ukraine, as he called for a focus on unity.
Mr Martin gave Mr Zelensky an album, a framed photo of him addressing the Dáil in December, and a bottle of whiskey, while Mr Martin received a Ukrainian football jersey.
Mr Martin also received a Ukrainian flag signed by the speaker of the Ukrainian parliament, after they met and discussed progress on accession talks for Ukraine.
Mr Martin met Ruslan Stefanchuk at the Verkhovna Rada, where he was shown a flag of Ukrainian independence and a large painting depicting the founding figures of Ukraine.
Mr Stefanchuk praised Ireland for its support and said he was relying on them to ensure they make progress on accession talks by beginning discussions on certain criteria needed to join.
The Taoiseach also visited a civilian area in Kyiv, Lukianivska, which has been repeatedly damaged in Russian attacks.
He heard from Liudmyla Vladyna and Oleh Kutz, who live in the area and were affected by the blasts on July 19, where 40 missiles were fired in 40 minutes.
