Ukraine may impose sanctions on Israel over grain dispute, MFA says
Photo: Heorhii Tykhyi, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Kyiv will take action against countries that trade with Russia and thereby finance the war against Ukraine. This also applies to Israel, which is buying stolen grain, stated Heorhii Tykhyi, Foreign Ministry spokesperson, during an online briefing.
"You will see the relevant measures when the time comes. These are legal procedures. But we have this legal track, which includes both investigations by the Prosecutor General’s Office and certain legal actions carried out in courts and during judicial proceedings," he said.
Tykhyi noted that sanctions-related measures will be part of this process, adding that it is a "universal approach."
He added that it applies not only to Israeli companies, but to anyone who is involved in this illegal trade and helps Russia finance the war against Ukraine.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that Ukraine considers Israel its partner and friend, but stressed that this trade finances Russia.
"But we are frank with them, because this trade is funding our enemy. And our enemies are waging war against our country and our people. Therefore, we will take action," Tykhyi said.
Israel is buying stolen Ukrainian grain
Last week, the vessel Abinsk was unloaded at the port of Haifa with a shipment of wheat that Russia likely illegally exported from Ukraine’s occupied territories. The Israeli side ignored Kyiv’s warning about the illegal origin of the grain and allowed the ship to dock at the terminal.
Following the incident, the Prosecutor General’s Office opened a case, and a Ukrainian court ordered the arrest of the vessel and its cargo. Ukraine sent an official request to Israel for legal assistance to block the goods and stop the legalization of stolen property.
This week, a second vessel carrying suspicious agricultural products was spotted in Haifa. According to media reports, including Axios, Kyiv viewed Israel’s actions as a "slap in the face."
Amid the situation, Israeli Ambassador Michael Brodsky was summoned to Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry to provide explanations.
