Ukraine Accuses Israel of Accepting Grain ‘Stolen’ by Russia

Ukraine accuses Israel of receiving shipments – A recent diplomatic clash has emerged between Ukraine and Israel, centered on allegations that Israel is facilitating the unloading of grain shipments from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has intensified the dispute, asserting that another grain vessel, allegedly carrying products unlawfully seized by Russian forces, had arrived at an Israeli port and was preparing to offload its cargo. He criticized Israeli authorities for their apparent complicity, stating that they could not remain ignorant of the contents of such ships and that their inaction was damaging the bilateral relationship.

Israeli Rebuttal and Kremlin’s Silence

Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, swiftly dismissed Ukraine’s accusations as “Twitter diplomacy,” emphasizing that the Ukrainian government had not provided concrete evidence to substantiate its claims. Saar argued that the allegations were being made without proper documentation, suggesting that the issue should be addressed through formal channels rather than social media. Meanwhile, the Kremlin remained noncommittal, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating that he would prefer not to comment on the matter or become involved in the dispute.

“Another vessel… ‘stolen by Russia’… ‘cannot be unaware’… ‘undermining bilateral relations’.” — Volodymyr Zelensky

Despite the initial reports, the row gained momentum after the Israeli newspaper Haaretz revealed that four grain-laden ships from occupied Ukraine had already been unloaded in Israel this year. The paper further noted that a fifth vessel, suspected of carrying similar cargo, had recently reached Haifa Bay and was awaiting its turn to enter the port. These developments prompted Ukraine to escalate its claims, with the nation’s foreign ministry citing specific instances of Russian-flagged ships being allowed to unload despite official requests to detain them.

Ukraine’s Diplomatic Protests and EU’s Stance

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice his country’s concerns, stating that his office had summoned the Israeli ambassador in Kyiv to protest against “Israel’s lack of appropriate response to Ukraine’s legitimate request regarding the previous vessel that delivered stolen goods to Haifa.” He reiterated that the continued acceptance of such shipments would further strain relations and warned of potential consequences. Sybiha’s comments highlighted a pattern of repeated incidents, with the latest being the arrival of the Abinsk vessel in mid-April.

“Israel’s lack of appropriate response… ‘relevant sanctions package’.” — Andrii Sybiha

During a news conference with Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric, Saar defended his government’s position, explaining that the vessel in question had not yet entered Haifa port and had not submitted its documents. This, he argued, made it impossible to confirm the authenticity of Ukrainian claims about forged cargo manifests. “The Ukrainian government has not submitted a request for legal assistance. It has submitted tweets. This is required when the claims concern criminal acts committed abroad,” Saar stated. He added that the absence of tangible evidence left Israel’s stance unassailable.

“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 appropriate channels.” — Gideon Saar

Zelensky expanded on the controversy on Tuesday, declaring in a statement that the grain trade in question was not merely a commercial transaction but a scheme that violated Israeli law. He accused Israel of allowing the shipment of stolen goods, which he claimed was undermining trust between the two nations. “Such schemes violate the laws of the State of Israel itself,” Zelensky said. “Ukraine has taken all necessary steps through diplomatic channels to prevent such incidents. However, we see that yet another such vessel has not been stopped.”

The Ukrainian government has also indicated that it is preparing a “relevant sanctions package” with European partners to target entities involved in transporting the grain. This move underscores the growing urgency of the issue, as Ukraine seeks to hold Israel accountable for its role in the grain diversion. The foreign ministry provided specific examples, noting that the Abinsk, a Russian-flagged bulk carrier, had been unloaded at an Israeli port despite official demands to detain it. Similarly, the Panormitis vessel, which was approaching Haifa port, had not been stopped by Israeli authorities.

EU’s Support and International Context

The European Union has echoed Ukraine’s concerns, with its foreign affairs spokesman, Anouar El Anouni, informing the BBC that the bloc had taken note of reports about Russian vessels unloading stolen Ukrainian grain in Haifa. “We condemn all actions that help fund Russia’s illegal war effort and circumvent EU sanctions,” El Anouni said. “The EU remains ready to target such actions by listing individuals and entities in third countries if necessary.”

“We condemn all actions that help fund Russia’s illegal war effort and circumvent EU sanctions… ‘listing individuals and entities in third countries if necessary’.” — Anouar El Anouni

The EU’s position is grounded in its 2024 findings, which highlighted evidence of Russia’s “illegal appropriation” of significant grain quantities in occupied Ukrainian regions. These products, Russia claimed, were then routed to its export markets as if they were genuine Russian goods. The EU’s stance reflects broader efforts to cut off financial support for Russia, but the inclusion of Israel in this chain has sparked renewed debate about the country’s role in the conflict.

The dispute highlights the complex interplay between Ukraine’s need to secure international support and Israel’s strategic interests in maintaining trade relations. While Ukraine accuses Israel of enabling Russia’s theft of grain, Israel maintains that it has followed legal procedures and that the accusations lack solid proof. This tension has not only raised questions about bilateral ties but also about the broader implications for global efforts to aid Ukraine’s economy and food security.

As the situation unfolds, both nations face the challenge of balancing their political and economic priorities. For Ukraine, the grain shipments represent a critical loss, while for Israel, they may symbolize an opportunity to strengthen ties with a key regional ally. The upcoming weeks will likely determine whether this disagreement escalates into a more formalized conflict or if a compromise can be reached through continued diplomatic dialogue.