Media: EU mulls sanctions on Israel over stolen Ukrainian grain claims

The EU is mulling sanctions against Israeli individuals and entities assisting Russia in bypassing international sanctions imposed on it, while also requesting information from Israel regarding Ukrainian grain stolen by Russia and later imported into Israel.

The EU’s position follows an April 26 investigation by Haaretz, which detailed how grain taken by Russia from occupied Ukrainian territories is being smuggled into Israel.

The EU 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, and that despite previous contacts of Ukraine with Israeli authorities on the subject."

"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," Anouni added.

The spokesperson further stated that, together with Ukraine, the European Union is seeking additional clarification from Israeli authorities on the matter.

In the aftermath of the Haaretz report, Israel’s ambassador to Ukraine, Michael Brodsky, was summoned to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry and is expected to hold talks in Kyiv on April 28.

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…

— Andrii Sybiha 🇺🇦 (@andrii_sybiha) April 27, 2026

By Jeyhun Aghazada