Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has threatened to impose sanctions on Israel, after accusing the Jewish state of allowing “stolen” Ukrainian grain to enter its ports, warning that Kyiv is preparing sanctions against those involved in the trade of its goods.
In a post on X, Zelensky wrote “another vessel carrying such grain has arrived at a port in Israel and is preparing to unload,” saying it is “not – and cannot be – legitimate business.” He added that Israeli authorities were very much aware “of which ships are arriving… and what cargo they are carrying,”
The remarks come amid a growing diplomatic spat between Jerusalem and Kyiv, after Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha summoned Israel’s ambassador on Monday over “inaction” by the Israeli govt in allowing shipments of its stolent grain to enter the country from Russian-occupied Ukraine.
According to a report by Haaretz, the vessel Panormitis – allegedly carrying grain from occupied areas – was awaiting permission to dock in Haifa, with four similar shipments already unloaded in Israel this year.
Refuting Kyiv’s charges, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar told Sybiha that Ukraine had provided no evidence that the grain was stolen and accused Kyiv of manipulating the narrative via media diplomacy.
Zelensky, however, claims Russia is “systematically seizing grain” from one of Ukrainian areas under its control, and exporting it “through individuals linked to the occupiers,” arguing that such “schemes” violate Israeli law. He said Ukraine has taken diplomatic steps to prevent the shipments, but that “yet another such vessel has not been stopped.”
Kyiv is now preparing a sanctions package targeting “both those directly transporting this grain and the individuals and legal entities attempting to profit from this criminal scheme,” Zelensky said, adding that Ukraine would coordinate with European partners to expand sanctions.
Last night, the European union similarly warned it may sanction individuals linked to reports of Russian grain ships docking in Israel.
“Ukraine counts on partnership and mutual respect with every state,” Zelensky wrote. “We expect that the Israeli authorities will respect Ukraine and refrain from actions that undermine our bilateral relations,” he remarked while stressing Kyiv’s interest in maintaining cooperation, including on regional security.
