Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated on Monday that the ministry had summoned the Israeli ambassador due to Israel's "laxity" regarding grain shipments originating from Russian-controlled Ukrainian territories.
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Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar responded to Sybiha, asserting that Ukraine had failed to provide any evidence supporting claims that the grain was "stolen." Sa'ar further accused his counterpart of conducting diplomacy through the media.
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz had previously reported that the vessel Panormitis, which it claimed was carrying grain from occupied Ukrainian territories, is currently awaiting permission to dock in Haifa. The newspaper noted that four grain shipments from occupied Ukrainian lands have already been offloaded in Israel this year.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Sybiha wrote in English: "It is difficult to understand Israel's failure to respond appropriately to Ukraine's legitimate request regarding the previous vessel that transported stolen goods to Haifa." He warned, "Now that another similar vessel has arrived in Haifa, we again warn Israel against accepting stolen grain and damaging our relations."
Sybiha added that the Israeli ambassador had been requested to appear at the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday so that Kyiv could "present our note of protest and demand appropriate measures be taken."
In a rebuttal also shared on X, Sa'ar stated that the matter would be investigated but emphasized that "allegations are not evidence," and that no proof had been submitted. "You did not even apply for legal assistance before resorting to the media and social networks," Sa'ar noted, adding that diplomatic relations "are not managed via Twitter or the media."
A Ukrainian diplomatic source, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated earlier that if Israel does not reject the latest shipment, Kyiv "will reserve the right to take all diplomatic and international legal measures." The source added that Kyiv is monitoring the latest vessel and that Israel has "essentially ignored" Kyiv’s previous demands.
— Reuters
