Ukraine issues protest to Israel over stolen grain purchase
Photo: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs handed a note of protest to the Israeli ambassador (Getty Images)
Today, April 28, Michael Brodsky, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Israel to Ukraine, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. He was handed a note of protest.
Read also: Russia shipped over 2 million tons of grain from occupied Ukrainian territories in 2025 – intel
As explained by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the reason for this step was the continued flow into Israel of agricultural products illegally exported by Russia from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
They emphasize that the origin of this grain has been definitively established, and the schemes used to conceal it, including ship-to-ship transshipments in the Black Sea, are well known, particularly to the relevant Israeli authorities. At the same time, such cargoes continue to arrive at Israeli ports and enter commercial circulation.
Separately, the Ukrainian side emphasizes that Israel’s disregard for Ukraine’s official appeals and requests for international legal assistance, including requests to detain vessels and cargo, creates conditions for the legalization of the stolen grain.
The Ministry states that it views these cases not as isolated incidents but as a systematic practice that bears the hallmarks of deliberate facilitation of illegal economic activity linked to the occupation of Ukrainian territories, as well as the circumvention of sanctions.
In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine drew attention to an unacceptable discrepancy: despite Ukraine’s support for Israel’s security and decisions to counter terrorist threats, particularly those linked to Iran, the Israeli side is allowing the import of stolen Ukrainian grain.
"In this regard, Ukraine demands that the Israeli side immediately take measures to stop the import of stolen grain and prevent its unloading at Israeli ports," the statement reads.
Background
Ukraine summoned the Israeli ambassador after a second ship carrying grain exported from the temporarily occupied territories arrived at the port of Haifa.
Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar stated that allegations alone did not constitute evidence and that the Ukrainian side had not provided any supporting documentation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also reacted to the situation, criticizing Israel’s refusal to stop the ship carrying stolen grain.
In addition, according to media reports, the European Union is considering imposing sanctions against Israeli individuals and entities that may have been involved in the illegal trade of stolen Ukrainian agricultural products.
