Ukraine Accuses Israel of Receiving Russian Grain Shipments Stolen From Occupied Territories
A diplomatic dispute has erupted following allegations that Israel is accepting grain shipments originating from Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that “another vessel” carrying grain “stolen by Russia” had reached an Israeli port and was preparing to unload its cargo.
Zelensky claimed that Israeli authorities “cannot be unaware” of the contents of vessels docking in their ports, warning that a failure to prevent these shipments would undermine bilateral relations. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar rejected what he termed “Twitter diplomacy,” asserting that the Ukrainian government had not provided concrete evidence to substantiate its claims. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on the matter.
The controversy intensified after the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that four vessels laden with grain from occupied Ukraine had already unloaded in Israel this year. A further vessel, suspected of carrying similar cargo, arrived in Haifa Bay on Sunday morning, awaiting entry.
On Monday evening, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed that his office had summoned the Israeli ambassador in Kyiv to protest Israel’s “lack of appropriate response” regarding a previous vessel delivering alleged stolen goods to Haifa. Sybiha reiterated a warning against Israel accepting further stolen grain, stating it would damage relations. Saar responded that diplomatic relations between nations are not conducted online and that the matter would be investigated, emphasising Israel’s adherence to the rule of law.
Zelensky intervened on Tuesday, declaring that such transactions were “not – and cannot be – legitimate business” and violated Israeli law. He stated that Ukraine had pursued diplomatic avenues to prevent these incidents but observed that another vessel had not been halted. The President added that Ukraine was preparing a “relevant sanctions package” with European nations targeting those involved in transporting and profiting from the illicit grain trade.
The Ukrainian foreign ministry identified the Russian-flagged bulk carrier Abinsk as having unloaded at an Israeli port in mid-April, despite requests for its detention. It also claimed Israeli authorities ignored a request concerning another vessel, Panormitis, approaching Haifa.
Saar, when questioned, stated the vessel in question had not yet entered Haifa port nor submitted documents, making verification of Ukrainian claims of forged cargo documents impossible. He stressed that the Ukrainian government had not submitted a request for legal assistance, only “tweets.” Saar concluded, “We reject Twitter diplomacy and we will not be influenced by that. We say again to our Ukrainian friends: If you have any evidence of theft, submit it through the appropriate channels.”
Anouar El Anouni, EU foreign affairs spokesman, noted the reports of a Russian “shadow fleet” vessel unloading stolen Ukrainian grain in Haifa. He stated the EU condemns actions that fund Russia’s “illegal war effort and circumvent EU sanctions,” adding that the bloc is prepared to sanction individuals and entities in third countries if necessary. The EU previously stated in 2024 that evidence indicated Russia was “illegally appropriating large volumes of [grain] products in territories of Ukraine, which it illegally occupies, and routing them to its export markets as allegedly Russian products.”