Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that Israel’s purchase of grain from occupied Ukrainian territory, “stolen” by Russia, “cannot be legitimate business” and that Kyiv was readying sanctions against those attempting to profit from it.
“Another vessel carrying such grain has arrived at a port in Israel and is preparing to unload,” Zelensky said on X/Twitter. “This is not – and cannot be – legitimate business.”
“Israeli authorities cannot be unaware of which ships are arriving at the country’s ports and what cargo they are carrying,” he posted.
“Russia is systematically seizing grain on temporarily occupied Ukrainian land and organizing its export through individuals linked to the occupiers. Such schemes violate the laws of the State of Israel,” Zelensky added. “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 leader also said that he had instructed Kyiv’s foreign minister to “inform all partners of our state about the situation.”
Ukraine is preparing a “relevant sanctions package” and will “coordinate with European partners to ensure that the relevant individuals are included in European sanctions regimes,” Zelensky said.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Tuesday, saying Russia would not get involved.
“Let the Kyiv regime deal with Israel on its own,” he said.
EU approaches Israel over grain shipment
The European Union had approached Israel regarding the vessel, an EU foreign affairs spokesperson said later on Tuesday.
“We condemn all actions that help fund Russia’s illegal war effort and circumvent EU sanctions, and remain ready to target such actions by listing individuals and entities in third countries if necessary,” Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy for the European Union Anouar El Anouni said in response to a request for comment on the situation.
“We have approached the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the issue,” he added.
Ukraine summons Israeli envoy as Russian vessel arrives in Haifa
Zelensky’s statement comes a day after Ukraine summoned Israeli Ambassador to Kyiv Michael Brodsky in protest at the arrival of a Russian vessel in Haifa, carrying stolen Ukrainian.
Discussing the summoning, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said 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.”
“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. Now that another such vessel has arrived in Haifa, we once again warn Israel against accepting the stolen grain and harming our relations,” Sybiha posted on X.
Earlier this month, Ukraine requested urgent clarification from Israel following reports that a vessel allegedly linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet” had docked at the Port of Haifa carrying grain originating from Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia.
Tobias Siegal and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.
