Zelenskyy threatens sanctions over alleged “stolen” grain shipped to Israel

Ukraine is preparing a new package of sanctions targeting individuals and companies allegedly involved in the transport and purchase of Ukrainian grain taken from Russian-occupied territory, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.

In a statement posted on Telegram, Zelenskyy said that the acquisition of such grain in any “normal country” should carry legal consequences, adding that Kyiv was coordinating with international partners to expand restrictive measures.

He said another vessel carrying what he described as “stolen grain” had arrived at an Israeli port and was preparing to unload its cargo. Zelenskyy suggested that the operation could not be regarded as legitimate business and argued that Israeli authorities “cannot be unaware” of the vessels entering their ports and the nature of their cargo.

According to the Ukrainian president, Russia has been systematically removing grain from temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories and organising its export through individuals linked to Moscow. He claimed these activities violate Israeli law and said Ukraine had already taken diplomatic steps to prevent similar incidents.

Despite this, Zelenskyy said the vessel in question had not been stopped. He added that Ukraine’s foreign ministry had been instructed to inform international partners of the situation.

Based on intelligence assessments, he said Ukraine was preparing sanctions that would target both the transport operators and any individuals or entities profiting from what he described as a “criminal scheme”. He added that Kyiv was working with European partners to ensure those involved could also be added to EU sanctions lists.

“Ukraine expects partnership and mutual respect from every state,” Zelenskyy said, adding that Kyiv was working to strengthen regional security, including in the Middle East. He also expressed expectations that Israel would act in a way that does not undermine bilateral relations with Ukraine.

Earlier, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha said "friendly Ukrainian-Israeli relations have the potential to benefit both countries, and Russia’s illegal trade with stolen Ukrainian grain should not undermine them."

According to Sybiha, 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. In this context, we have already officially summoned the Israeli ambassador to Ukraine tomorrow morning to present our protest note and request appropriate action."

Israel’s foreign minister has pushed back against Ukrainian criticism, saying diplomatic relations should not be conducted via social media and insisting that any allegations must be supported by evidence.

Responding to remarks by Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Gideon Sa’ar said that no substantiating evidence had been presented and that no formal request for legal assistance had been submitted before the issue was raised publicly.

“Diplomatic relations, especially between friendly nations, are not conducted on Twitter or in the media,” Sa’ar said in a statement.

He added that allegations alone do not constitute proof, stressing that Israel had yet to receive evidence backing the claims in question.

Sa’ar said the matter would be examined and emphasised that Israel is a state governed by the rule of law, with independent law enforcement institutions.

“All Israeli authorities will act in accordance with the law,” he said.

By Aghakazim Guliyev