Israel says no proof Russian grain shipment ‘stolen,’ as Ukraine threatens sanctions

FM Sa’ar again accuses Zelensky of ‘Twitter diplomacy,’ after Ukrainian president says Israel ‘cannot be unaware’ cargo at Haifa port came from Russian-occupied territory

Amid a growing diplomatic incident, Israel said Tuesday it had yet to receive evidence that a shipment of Russian grain had been “stolen” from occupied Ukrainian territory, while Kyiv said it was preparing sanctions against those involved in the transaction.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a post to X, wrote: “In any normal country, purchasing stolen goods is an act that entails legal liability. This applies, in particular, to grain stolen by Russia. Another vessel carrying such grain has arrived at a port in Israel and is preparing to unload.”

“This is not – and cannot be – legitimate business. The Israeli authorities cannot be unaware of which ships are arriving at the country’s ports and what cargo they are carrying,” he said.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, however, pushed back against the allegation, reiterating an accusation that Kyiv was conducting “Twitter diplomacy” and failing to provide evidence for the Russian cargo’s purportedly illicit origin.

“Up until this point, the Ukrainian government has not submitted a request for legal assistance. They submitted tweets,” he said at a press conference, alongside visiting Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Duric. “Nor has the Ukrainian government provided evidence for its claims.”

Sa’ar said he had spoken with the Israel Tax Authority on the matter, but stressed that, at this stage, “the vessel has not entered the port and has yet to submit its documents,” and that it is impossible to verify claims that shipping records were forged.

Israel, he added, “is a state that abides by the rule of law,” and any legal action must be based on substantiated evidence submitted through proper channels.

“We say again to our Ukrainian friends: If you have any evidence of theft, submit it through the appropriate channels,” Sa’ar said, adding that Israel “will not be influenced” by public pressure.

Sa’ar also expressed surprise at the criticism, noting Israel’s past support for Ukraine in international forums and through humanitarian assistance during its ongoing war with Russia.

According to a report by the Haaretz daily, the vessel Panormitis – allegedly carrying grain from occupied areas – was awaiting permission to dock in Haifa, with four similar shipments already unloaded in Israel this year.

Kyiv considers all grain produced in the four regions that Russia claims as its own since invading Ukraine in 2022 — as well as Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014 — to be stolen and has protested over its export to other countries.

Russia calls the regions its “new territories,” but they are still internationally recognized as Ukrainian. Moscow has not commented on the legal status of grain collected in them.

Traders have told Reuters that it is impossible to track the origin of wheat once it is mixed.

In his post to X on Tuesday, Zelensky wrote that “Ukraine has taken all necessary steps through diplomatic channels to prevent such incidents. However, we see that yet another such vessel has not been stopped. I have instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to inform all partners of our state about the situation.”

“Based on information from our intelligence services, Ukraine is preparing a relevant sanctions package that will cover both those directly transporting this grain and the individuals and legal entities attempting to profit from this criminal scheme,” he warned, adding Kyiv would “also coordinate with European partners to ensure that the relevant individuals are included in European sanctions regimes.”

Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi told reporters that Kyiv provided “extensive information and proof” that the cargo was illegal before going public. The ministry published a timeline of its actions and contacts with Israeli authorities.

“We will not allow any country in any geography to facilitate illegal trade with a stolen grain that finances our enemy,” Tykhyi said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Tuesday, saying Russia would not get involved. “Let the Kyiv regime deal with Israel on its own,” he said.

The European Union late Monday said it had “taken note” of the shipment in question, condemning the alleged transactions and warning that those involved could face EU sanctions.

“We condemn all actions that help fund Russia’s illegal war effort and circumvent EU sanctions, and remain ready to target such actions by listing individuals and entities in third countries if necessary,” an EU spokesperson told The Times of Israel in a statement, confirming earlier reports.

Earlier this month, Israel reportedly allowed a Russian vessel carrying stolen Ukrainian grain to dock at a Haifa port, claiming it was too late to turn the ship around.

Sa’ar, at the time, sent a message to his Ukrainian counterpart claiming that the vessel could not be detained due to the late notice, even though Israel had reportedly been aware of it two weeks before it arrived.

Senior Ukrainian officials had been demanding the confiscation of the wheat cargo.