Ukraine and Israel Clash Over Grain Imports from Occupied Territories
Ukraine has formally protested to Israel over the import of grain from regions under Russian occupation, submitting a diplomatic note to the Israeli ambassador. In response, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared that sanctions are being prepared. Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs specifically flagged two vessels—the ABINSK and the PANORMITIS—as sources of concern, demanding that the unloading of the PANORMITIS be halted immediately.
On April 28, Israeli Ambassador Michael Brodsky was summoned to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, where the protest note was delivered. The ABINSK (IMO 9303869) had docked at the port of Haifa and unloaded cargo between April 12 and 14. The PANORMITIS (IMO 9445021) arrived in Haifa on April 26 and was still anchored, awaiting unloading, as of April 27. The grain shipped to Israel is loaded at ports in occupied territories and transferred ship-to-ship in the Black Sea, with deliveries arranged by the Russian company Petrochleb-Kuban. Both vessels are part of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet.
Ukraine’s Demands and Israel’s Response
According to available information, Ukraine’s ambassador to Israel first submitted a note regarding the ABINSK on March 23. On April 14, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha personally called his Israeli counterpart, and on April 15, Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office sent a request for international legal assistance along with a court ruling. That same day, Israel completed unloading the ABINSK and allowed it to leave port. Israel’s official reply came on April 20, but the country did not consider the evidence provided by Kyiv to be sufficient.
President Zelenskyy stated: 'Purchasing stolen goods is, in all normal countries, an act that carries legal consequences. This applies, in particular, to grain stolen by Russia.'
Minister Sybiha remarked that 'friendly Ukrainian-Israeli relations can benefit both countries, and Russia’s illegal trade in stolen Ukrainian grain should not undermine them.' Kyiv is insisting that the unloading of the PANORMITIS be urgently blocked to prevent further trade in unlawfully obtained resources.
This dispute highlights the complexities of trade relations between Ukraine and Israel amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. Kyiv’s push to halt grain imports from occupied territories reflects its determination to safeguard its economic interests and combat illicit trade—a move that could carry significant implications for regional international relations. How Israel responds to these demands may shape the future of bilateral ties and its stance on the conflict in Ukraine.
As the situation escalates, the potential for diplomatic repercussions looms large. Following Ukraine's formal protest, the warning of a diplomatic crisis over the vessel carrying stolen wheat highlights the delicate balance in Ukraine-Israel relations and the broader implications for international law and trade practices.