The European Union is preparing to ban the import of Russian aluminum, according to Reuters.

The European Union may include a ban on the import of Russian primary aluminum in the 16th package of sanctions against Russia.

Source. This is reported by Reuters citing diplomatic sources in the EU.

According to their information, the European Commission (EC) intends to present a draft of the next package of restrictions to the member states of the bloc soon.

New sanctions are expected to be approved by the EC in February, coinciding with the third anniversary of the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

According to Reuters' sources, on January 14, the European Commission held informal consultations regarding the 16th sanctions package with representatives of EU countries. One diplomat noted that the embargo on Russian aluminum is planned to be implemented gradually.

Currently, the EU has already banned the import of several aluminum products, including wire, pipes, and foil, which account for less than 15% of the total metal imports. Aluminum, which is significantly lighter than steel, is used in the transportation, packaging, and construction industries, and it is also crucial for manufacturing parts for electric vehicles.

At the end of 2024, ten EU countries initiated a push to strengthen sanctions against Russia, including restrictions on its metallurgical products, including aluminum. Similar measures have previously been taken by the United States and the United Kingdom, which completely banned the import of Russian aluminum.

With the introduction of the embargo, European and American companies may begin to seek alternative supplies from Middle Eastern countries such as the UAE and Bahrain, Reuters notes. In 2024, according to the International Aluminum Institute, this region accounted for about 9% of global metal production.

In April 2024, the largest Russian aluminum producer, Rusal, owned by Oleg Deripaska, turned to the government for emergency support. Due to sanctions, Rusal had to significantly alter its supply geography. Previously, the main markets were in Europe, but in 2024, about one-third of its annual production volume, or over 1 million tons, was shipped to China.