Ukraine summons 'Israeli' envoy over grain shipment linked to Russia
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- Kyiv says it protested arrival of wheat allegedly taken from occupied Ukrainian territory.
- 'Israel' says no evidence has been provided and calls for formal legal process.
Ukraine said it summoned the ‘Israeli’ ambassador in Kyiv after a shipment it claims contained grain “stolen” by Russia arrived at the port of Haifa.
The move comes amid escalating diplomatic friction over alleged Russian exports of agricultural goods taken from occupied Ukrainian territory.
Diplomatic protest in Kyiv
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the ‘Israeli’ envoy was called to a meeting on Tuesday morning to receive a formal protest note and discuss what Kyiv described as repeated shipments of illegally sourced grain.
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Kyiv said it had earlier informed ‘Israel’ that a vessel carrying grain from Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine had arrived in Haifa earlier this month. Officials allege the cargo originated from territories occupied following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
“It is difficult to understand the lack of an appropriate response from ‘Israel’ regarding the previous ship that transported stolen goods to Haifa,” Sybiha wrote on X.
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He warned that another similar shipment had reached the port and urged ‘Israel’ not to accept what Ukraine describes as “stolen grain,” saying it could damage bilateral relations.
'Israel' rejects allegations
‘Israeli’ Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar responded on X, saying diplomatic relations “are not conducted on Twitter or through the media.”
He added that Ukraine had not provided evidence to support its claims or submitted a formal request for legal assistance.
“This matter will be investigated,” Sa’ar said, adding that ‘Israel’ operates under the rule of law.
Broader context of grain disputes
The European Union previously reported evidence in 2024 suggesting Russia had moved large quantities of grain from occupied Ukrainian territories and exported them as Russian products.
Ukraine says such practices form part of a broader effort by Moscow to exploit resources from areas under its control, which currently account for roughly one-fifth of Ukrainian territory.
The latest dispute adds another layer of tension to Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts as it seeks to curb what it describes as illicit trade routes linked to the ongoing war with Russia.
