Ukraine has formally requested Israel to seize a cargo vessel it claims is transporting grain stolen from Russian-occupied territories, igniting an unusual diplomatic confrontation between the two countries. The dispute escalated into public view this week when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that "another vessel" carrying grain "stolen by Russia" had arrived at an Israeli port and was preparing to unload its cargo.
Ukraine's Official Request
On Wednesday, Ukraine's Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko stated on Telegram: "The Ukrainian side is asking its Israeli partners to seize the vessel and its cargo, conduct a search, seize the vessel's and cargo documentation, take grain samples, and question the crew members." According to Ukraine, the cargo vessel Panormitis, sailing under a Panamanian flag, was en route to dock in Haifa. Additionally, Ukraine's foreign ministry reported that since March, it had also raised concerns with Israel about another vessel, the Abinsk, which it alleged was carrying stolen grain. That ship was allowed to unload and depart despite Kyiv's objections.
Israel's Response
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar pushed back against Ukrainian claims that Israel was permitting stolen grain into its ports, accusing Kyiv of engaging in "Twitter diplomacy" and failing to provide evidence that the Russian cargo awaiting entry had been taken from occupied Ukrainian territory. Saar added that the formal petition submitted by Ukraine on Tuesday was "now being examined by the relevant authorities." Representatives of the vessel's Greece-based management company also denied it was carrying any grain from occupied Ukraine, stating in a statement to Reuters that its cargo was Russian.
Background of Strained Relations
Relations between Ukraine and Israel have remained uneasy since Russia's full-scale invasion, as Israeli leaders have sought to maintain channels with both Kyiv and Moscow. Israel has largely limited its support for Ukraine to humanitarian aid, resisting pressure to supply Israeli-made weapons systems or impose sanctions against the Kremlin. Kyiv has repeatedly accused Russia of stealing grain from occupied Ukrainian territory and selling it on international markets.
Reports of Ongoing Purchases
The Israeli outlet Haaretz reported on Sunday that Israel had been buying grain allegedly looted by Russia from occupied Ukrainian territory for at least two years, though Kyiv had not publicly commented on the issue until this week. In a statement to Haaretz, an EU spokesperson said the bloc was considering sanctions on Israeli individuals and entities aiding Russia. The EU's foreign affairs spokesperson, Anouar El Anouni, told Haaretz that the European Union "has taken note of the reports that a Russian shadow fleet vessel carrying stolen Ukrainian grain has been allowed to unload at Haifa port in Israel despite previous contacts of Ukraine with Israeli authorities on the subject."
