European Aluminium intensified its call for the EU to expand sanctions on Russian aluminum, arguing the bloc can manage without major Russian products. Despite existing bans on Russian aluminum wire, foil, tubes, and pipes, imports of aluminum ingots, slabs, and billets, comprising 85% of the EU's aluminum imports from Russia, remain exempt.

Paul Voss, director general at European Aluminium, stated, "It's getting harder and harder to justify the continued exclusion of aluminum ingots from the scope of EU sanctions on Russia. We could live comfortably without it, and we should."

As the EU deliberates its 14th package of Russian sanctions, aluminum has yet to be mentioned. Russia's Rusal, the largest aluminum producer outside China, warned that such sanctions would harm European consumers, particularly small and mid-sized downstream companies. Rusal urged the EU to adopt a balanced approach, emphasizing its long-standing operations in Europe.