Can Ireland defend its trade with Russia?

Can Ireland defend its trade with Russia?

June 9, 2026 · 15 min · Episode 66

About this episode

The episode discusses Ireland's trade with Russia amidst scrutiny and the implications for the EU presidency, along with the rise of smart glasses and a festival related to the New European Bauhaus initiative.

The EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, heads to Dublin today with awkward questions for Ireland. The country is facing increased scrutiny over the fact that a Russian-owned refinery on Irish soil continues exporting alumina to Russia — a raw material that can feed Moscow’s industrial and military supply chains. The timing is especially awkward since Dublin is preparing to take over the EU’s rotating Council presidency. Also on the show, smart glasses are moving from sci-fi gadget to Brussels privacy headache. Are Europe’s rules ready for cameras people can wear on their faces? And finally: A festival to celebrate the Commission’s New European Bauhaus initiative kicks off today. We explain what inflatable heads have to do with it. Do you have smart glasses that you use for non-nefarious purposes? We’d love to hear more about aboveboard use cases. Message us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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