Ukraine threatens to sanction Israel for doing business with "grain stolen by Russia"

BarcelonaUkraine has threatened to sanction Israeli individuals and companies that buy grain produced in Ukrainian regions occupied by Russia. According to Volodymyr Zelensky in a message on X this Tuesday, the Ukrainian government is working on a package of sanctions for people who transport and buy grain that Kyiv considers "stolen by Russia". "In any normal country, the purchase of stolen goods is an act that entails legal responsibility," the Ukrainian leader retorted.

Zelensky's threat comes after Kyiv reported that Israel allowed two ships carrying Ukrainian wheat to enter the port of Haifa this week, despite warnings to the Israeli authorities to prevent it. As an investigation by the Israeli newspaper "Haaretz" revealed, four shipments of grain from territories occupied by Russia have already been unloaded in Israel so far. One of these was the ship from territories occupied by Russia. One of these was the ship Abinsk, flying the Russian flag, which arrived at the port of Haifa two weeks ago loaded with wheat from occupied territories worth millions of dollars, according to a statement from the Ukrainian government.

Kyiv accuses Russia of seizing grain in occupied Ukrainian lands and exporting it through individuals linked to the occupation. The profits from the sale of this merchandise have been financing President Vladimir Putin's war machine, they criticize.

In the message he wrote this Tuesday, Zelensky implies that the Ukrainian executive was aware of this problem and says that "all necessary measures have been taken diplomatically to avoid these incidents", but that it has not been enough to prevent the deliveries. "This is not – and cannot be – a legitimate business. The Israeli authorities cannot ignore which ships arrive at the country's ports and what cargo they carry," denounces the Ukrainian leader.

Israel asks for proof

In response to the accusations, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar has urged Ukraine to present evidence that Israel has bought "grain stolen by Russia". "You did not even submit a request for legal assistance before going to the media and social networks," Sa'ar also wrote on X, who also pledged to investigate the facts and assured that "all Israeli authorities will act in accordance with the law".

The episode has increased tensions between Ukraine and Israel, usual allies of the Western bloc, and has left European partners in an uncomfortable situation, reluctant to sanction Israel for its multiple offensives in the Middle East. Regarding the controversy over Euronews, a European Union spokesperson stated that the community institution is willing to impose sanctions on those who help and favor the trade of Ukrainian grain stolen by Russia in the occupied territories. "We condemn all actions that help finance Russia's illegal war effort and circumvent EU sanctions, and we remain willing to target these actions, including individuals and entities from third countries if necessary," the spokesperson said.