Ukraine says it requested action from Israel regarding vessel carrying ‘stolen’ grain

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Wednesday that Kyiv has officially requested action by Israel concerning a vessel allegedly carrying grain “stolen” from his country’s territories under Russian control.

In a statement through US social media company X, Sybiha said Ukraine officially addressed Israel through “diplomatic and legal channels,” requesting action regarding the vessel called “PANORMITIS,” and that the country’s Prosecutor General’s Office submitted a relevant request to the Israeli authorities to “arrest” the vessel as part of an ongoing investigation.

“The vessel is suspected of carrying a grain cargo that was illegally transported from a closed port in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine in violation of international law and Ukrainian legislation,” Sybiha said.

“This is not Twitter diplomacy, but a very concrete legal and diplomatic request for international legal assistance that necessitates a response. We expect the Israeli side to take it seriously rather than responding with emotional statements,” he added.

The foreign minister’s remarks come as Kyiv summoned Israel’s ambassador in Ukraine over the issue a day prior.

Sybiha said on Monday that it would protest the arrival of the vessel carrying “stolen” grain amid the Israeli ambassador's summoning, and that it is “difficult to understand Israel’s lack of appropriate response” to Ukraine’s request concerning a vessel which had previously delivered such grain earlier this month.

“Now that another such vessel has arrived in Haifa, we once again warn Israel against accepting the stolen grain and harming our relations,” Sybiha added.

In response to Sybiha’s statement on Monday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar took to social media, and said: “Allegations are not evidence. Evidence substantiating the allegations has yet to be provided. You did not even submit a request for legal assistance before turning to the media and social networks.”

Amid the diplomatic row, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday that Kyiv is preparing a sanctions package which will cover “both those directly transporting this grain and the individuals and legal entities attempting to profit from this criminal scheme.”

Commenting on his Ukrainian counterpart’s most recent post, Saar said: “One would expect the submission of a legal request before Tweeting. You chose differently, for your own reasons.”

“Finally, you submitted the request late last night and now you are following it up with another Tweet,” the Israeli foreign minister added, noting that Ukraine’s request is now being examined by the relevant authorities.