DUBLIN, Ireland: There is no clear proof to confirm or deny whether alumina exports from Ireland were used by Russian weapons makers, Ireland's leader has said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he supported sanctions on alumina. He also supported other ways to stop alumina from being exported from Ireland to Russia.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he had informed Zelenskyy during a meeting in Kyiv on July 23 about an Irish investigation into alumina exports from a refinery based in Limerick.

He said the investigation was almost finished and that the results would be shared with the European Commission.

Martin said the investigation had not found clear or definite proof linking the alumina to weapons manufacturers in Russia. However, he added that it also had not found definite proof that the alumina was not being used by such manufacturers, making the situation unclear. He explained that the next step would be to share the findings with the European Commission, as the issue concerns both Ireland and the wider European Union.

Speaking through an interpreter, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine supported placing sanctions on the relevant production, and that he and the Irish prime minister had discussed this. He suggested that countries could also take their own internal steps to limit the export of alumina products to Russia.

Zelenskyy said the main goal was to ensure that alumina does not reach Russia, does not help weapons production, and does not fund the war. He added that if this goal could be achieved through national actions, Ukraine would support those efforts. At the same time, he said Ukraine would also raise the issue at the EU level and support sanctions.

Ireland also announced an additional 125 million euros in support for Ukraine this year, on top of 65 million euros already announced earlier.

Martin said that 100 million euros of this new funding would go toward Ukraine's defence needs, including non-lethal military support. He said this would build on Ireland's support from last year, especially in strengthening Ukraine's air defences.

Zelenskyy thanked Ireland for its support and especially mentioned the very warm attitude shown to Ukrainian people living in Ireland.

He also called on Ireland to take a leading role in supporting Ukraine's efforts to join the European Union.

During Zelenskyy's visit to Dublin earlier this month, he said he hoped for a positive outcome from Ireland's investigation into alumina exports. He added that he had asked his team to explore what other actions could be taken at the same time.

Martin is also set to meet Ukraine's new prime minister, Serhii Koretskyi, who previously led the state energy company Naftogaz and was appointed last week during a controversial government reshuffle.

Zelenskyy said that Koretskyi's experience in the energy sector made him well prepared to guide Ukraine through another winter, a time when Russian attacks on the power system usually increase.

Martin will also visit Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, and meet its speaker, Ruslan Stefanchuk. They are expected to discuss Ukraine's efforts to join the EU.

The Irish prime minister will also visit civilian areas in Kyiv that were damaged in recent Russian attacks and meet members of the Irish community living there.