Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a warning of potential sanctions against Israel following accusations that stolen Ukrainian grain is being accepted at Israeli ports, according to Reuters reports.
Speaking directly to Israel on Tuesday, Zelenskyy stated that acquiring grain shipped from occupied territories “violates Israel’s laws,” and emphasized that “buying stolen grain cannot be considered a legitimate business.” The Ukrainian leader expressed his expectation that Israeli officials “to respect Ukraine and refrain from actions that undermine relations between the countries.” Zelenskyy also noted that another vessel carrying what Ukraine deems stolen grain “has arrived in Israel and is preparing to unload.”
The diplomatic tension escalated when Ukraine’s foreign ministry called in Israeli Ambassador Michael Brodsky for questioning regarding these allegations. This action follows previous accusations that have created friction between the two nations, including a social media disagreement on Monday and earlier discussions between foreign ministers on April 15. A Ukrainian diplomatic official indicated that Israel had previously “brushed off” such complaints.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha posted on X that “Friendly Ukrainian-Israeli relations have the potential to benefit both countries, and Russia’s illegal trade with stolen Ukrainian grain should not undermine them.” He continued, “Now that another such vessel has arrived in Haifa, we once again warn Israel against accepting the stolen grain and harming our relations.”
Sybiha confirmed that Ukraine had “already officially summoned the Israeli ambassador to [the Ukrainian foreign ministry] tomorrow morning to present our protest note and request appropriate action.”
Israeli officials have pushed back against these accusations. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar responded on X, stating “Allegations are not evidence,” and noted that “Evidence substantiating the allegations have yet to be provided.” He promised the matter would be investigated and that international law would be followed.
According to Haaretz newspaper, a ship called the Panormitis, suspected of transporting grain from occupied Ukrainian regions, was waiting for clearance to enter Haifa port. The publication reported that four grain shipments from occupied Ukraine had already been processed in Israel during this year.
Ukraine maintains that grain grown in the four territories Russia has claimed since its 2022 invasion, along with Crimea which Russia annexed in 2014, constitutes stolen property taken by Moscow.
