How Aughinish overshadowed Ireland's Presidency fanfare

The fanfare surrounding Ireland's launch of its EU presidency in Dublin Castle was dramatically interrupted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's urgent warning of an impending Russian attack. Zelensky, who made the journey from Kyiv, informed attendees that he had received intelligence of a massive impending assault and would be returning to Ukraine immediately to urge citizens to be especially careful. Shortly after his press conference with Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Russia launched one of the war's deadliest attacks. Waves of drones and ballistic missiles targeted civilian areas in Kyiv and other cities, destroying residential blocks and forcing hundreds into bomb shelters. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia fired 74 missiles and nearly 500 drones. Initial reports indicated 25 deaths in Kyiv, with over 80 injured, a toll that rose to at least 30 by Friday. Zelensky's plea during the ceremony gained a grim resonance in light of the attack. He spoke critically of European companies, allegedly controlled by sanctioned Russian oligarchs, that are supplying materials to the Russian war effort. He specifically, though not explicitly, referenced Aughinish Alumina, owned by Oleg Deripaska, which Swedish tax authorities claim is still under his control. "Every ton of raw materials that end up in Russia is used against us in this war," Zelensky stated. The potential use of aluminum, possibly sourced from the Aughinish refinery, in the construction of missiles that killed civilians has cast a shadow over the presidency launch. This issue was a significant part of the bilateral meeting between Taoiseach Martin and President Zelensky prior to the ceremony. Despite his frustrations, Zelensky politely acknowledged Ireland's ongoing investigation into the matter. "We are grateful to the Government and to Micheál [Martin] for the fact that Ireland is conducting the relevant investigation," he said. "We very much hope for a positive result for us in this investigation, and we do hope that we will not have to wait for it for a month... we're cutting every possibility in every sphere for Russia to build up, to militarise itself."

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Immediately after our press conference, I will be very quickly returning to Ukraine, and today I will ask our people to be especially careful to protect themselves, their families, and their children.