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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy threatened sanctions on Israel on Tuesday, accusing it of turning a blind eye to the import of grain he says has been “stolen” from his country by Russia.
“Another vessel carrying such grain has arrived at a port in Israel and is preparing to unload. This is not – and cannot be – legitimate business,” Zelenskyy said on X Tuesday morning. “The Israeli authorities cannot be unaware of which ships are arriving at the country’s ports and what cargo they are carrying.”
He went on to say that Ukraine is preparing a sanctions package targeting both those transporting the grain and “the individuals and legal entities attempting to profit from this criminal scheme.” Ukraine also summoned Israel’s ambassador to the foreign ministry over the shipment.
“We expect that the Israeli authorities will respect Ukraine and refrain from actions that undermine our bilateral relations.”
Kyiv considers all grain taken from Ukrainian land occupied by Russia since its invasion of the country in 2022, as well as Crimea, to be stolen. It has repeatedly protested to other countries about the practice, arguing that the proceeds are used to fund its war effort. It says Russia ships the grain via its shadow fleet for itself and other foreign countries facing international sanctions, including Venezuela and Iran. Russia says the grain comes from "new territories", but the land is still internationally recognized as occupied Ukrainian territory.
Zelenskyy’s announcement comes after Israeli and Ukrainian officials sparred over the issue on social media on Monday. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote on X that this stolen grain should not “undermine” Ukrainian-Israeli relations: “It is difficult to understand Israel’s lack of appropriate response to Ukraine’s legitimate request regarding the previous vessel that delivered stolen goods to Haifa.”
His counterpart, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, quickly responded on X, arguing that evidence of “stolen” grain had not yet been provided.
“You did not even submit a request for legal assistance before turning to the media and social networks,” Sa'ar said.
The delivery in question is the Panama-flagged bulk carrier Panormitis, which docked in Haifa on April 26, according to the marine traffic monitoring services. The ship carried thousands of tons of wheat and barley, according to Ukrainian journalist Kateryna Yaresko.
An investigation released Sunday from Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that at least four other shipments of “stolen” Ukrainian grain—meaning grain from occupied Ukrainian territories—have already been unloaded in Israel this year.
Ukraine and Israel have been at odds for some time
The spat over stolen grain is just the latest flashpoint in a strained diplomatic relationship between Ukraine and Israel.
Zelenskyy has openly criticized Israel for what he sees as a reluctance to materially support Ukraine amid Russia's ongoing invasion, while Israel maintains ties with both sides in the war.
Ukraine has spoken out in support of the Israeli-U.S. joint strikes against Iran, but the war also has a direct impact on Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russian missiles, and has boosted Moscow’s oil industry.
Ukraine was already facing a shortage of U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems, the $4 million-a-piece munitions it uses to shoot down ballistic missiles and drones. As the U.S. joined Israel in its assault on Iran in late February, these same missiles were being used to defend against Iranian missiles and drones that are targeting U.S. bases and Washington’s allies in the Middle East.
“If the war lasts longer, there will be fewer weapons for Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said in a German television interview earlier in April, just as a tentative ceasefire began in the war. “We already have such a shortage; it can’t get any worse.”
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