The European Union authorities, as part of the 16th package of anti-Russian sanctions, have implemented additional restrictions on the supply of primary aluminum from Russia, according to a statement from the EU Council's press service for foreign affairs.
The complete cessation of Russian aluminum supplies is planned by the end of 2026.
"Finally, the EU has imposed further restrictions on the export of goods that assist in the development of Russian industrial capacities (chemicals, certain types of plastics, and rubber) and their transit through Russia, as well as additional limitations on the import of primary aluminum from the RF, which provides significant revenue to Russia," the document states.
As expected, over the course of the year, European buyers will be able to continue purchasing Russian aluminum within a quota. This quota will amount to 275,000 tons, which is equivalent to 80% of the imports for 2024, the report indicates.
The export of aluminum from Russia will be completely banned by the end of 2026, as indicated in the Q&A section on the EU's website.
According to the EU, the import of Russian aluminum into the EU is significantly decreasing. The EU's dependence on Russian aluminum has fallen to 6% in 2024 from 16% in 2020. "Alternatives are readily available from more than 15 countries across various regions of the world, including Europe, under terms similar to those of supplies from Russia," the EU's explanations state.
The EU has also prohibited the import of primary aluminum from Belarus to prevent circumvention of the restrictive measures against Russia through this country.
The export of Russian aluminum to Europe has been declining since 2022 due to the withdrawal of European manufacturers from products sourced from the RF. Additionally, the ban on the supply of Russian non-ferrous metals to the LME, implemented in April 2024, has also impacted this trend. Sales to LME warehouses represented a significant backup method for selling Russian metal, the majority of which is sold under bilateral contracts.