Zelenskyy's Office reacts to seizure of stolen Ukrainian grain ship in Sweden
Photo: Caffa container ship—on the left (Getty Images)
After Sweden seized a ship carrying stolen Ukrainian grain, Ukraine called on other countries to take similarly systematic action to stop the illegal export of resources from territories occupied by Russia, Vladyslav Vlasiuk, the President of Ukraine’s Representative for Sanctions Policy, tells reporters.
He notes that Sweden's decision to confiscate the dry cargo ship Caffa sets a significant precedent in the application of sanctions.
"This is no longer just a detention, but a shift toward practical action," he states.
According to Vlasiuk, previously, such vessels could count on risks being limited to inspections or brief delays. In turn, "confiscation changes the rules of the game."
The Commissioner emphasizes that Russia uses a shadow fleet to export resources from the occupied territories, particularly grain, and attempts to integrate these shipments into global markets through complex logistical schemes.
"Ukraine is systematically working to dismantle these schemes: ships, operators, and routes are being identified, and various practices are being employed, from disabling transponders to transshipping cargo at sea. This allows us to shift the issue from the political to the legal sphere," Vlasiuk emphasizes.
He adds that Ukraine welcomes Sweden's move, stressing that such practices must be scaled up, both regarding individual vessels and the entire Russian shadow fleet.
"This is also a matter of principle: attempts to export and sell Ukrainian grain will not go unanswered, and efforts to hold those responsible to account will continue at the EU, G7, and other jurisdictional levels," the Commissioner notes.
Background
Recently, Swedish authorities seized the bulk carrier Caffa, which is suspected of involvement in the illegal export of Ukrainian grain.
According to media reports, the vessel was detained in the Baltic Sea near the city of Trelleborg. Law enforcement officials determined that the vessel’s owner and crew may be involved in transporting grain from the temporarily occupied Crimea. Most of the crew members are Russian citizens, and the bulk carrier’s technical condition is assessed as unsatisfactory.
The ship's captain, a Russian citizen, had previously been detained for using a forged flag, but was later released.
Grain scandal
A diplomatic scandal recently erupted between Ukraine and Israel over the purchase of stolen grain from the temporarily occupied territories.
Last week, the Abinsk was unloaded at the port of Haifa with a shipment of wheat, despite warnings from Kyiv about its possible illegal origin.
The Ukrainian side claimed that this grain could have been stolen by Russia, but the Israeli side allowed the ship to enter the port and unload.
Just this week, another ship carrying suspicious agricultural products was spotted in Haifa.
In Kyiv, Israel’s actions were perceived as a slap in the face, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a strong statement regarding the situation with Ukrainian grain.
Against this backdrop, Israel’s ambassador to Ukraine, Michael Brodsky, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he was handed a note of protest and asked to explain.
For more details on the situation, see the RBC-Ukraine report.
