The Crisis of 'Stolen Grain': Ukraine Summons Israeli Ambassador for a Telling Off

SadaNews - Ukraine has summoned its Israeli ambassador, Mikhail Brodsky, for a telling off this morning, Tuesday, in protest against Israel receiving a ship that Kyiv claims is carrying grain from Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated in an English post on "X" that his country will submit a note of protest to the Israeli ambassador in response to Israel's allowing the acceptance of shipments of stolen grain from its territory.

Sybiha warned against undermining relations between the two sides due to "the illegal trade in stolen Ukrainian grain," while criticizing Israel's disregard of previous Ukrainian calls to refrain from receiving vessels loaded with shipments of stolen grain from its territories.

He said, "It is difficult to understand Israel's inadequate response to Ukraine's legitimate request regarding a previous ship that carried stolen goods to Haifa," adding, "Now - after another ship of this kind has reached Haifa - we warn Israel against harming our relations."

Earlier, a Ukrainian diplomatic source - who requested anonymity speaking to Reuters - warned of consequences on relations between Kyiv and Tel Aviv if Israel allows the ship to dock, emphasizing that "Kyiv will take all diplomatic and international legal actions against Israel."

In contrast, Israeli Foreign Minister Gidon Sa'ar stated that Kyiv "has not provided any evidence to support its claims that the grain is stolen," while accusing the Ukrainian foreign minister of "conducting diplomacy via media and social platforms."

Haaretz reported that a Russian ship named "Panormitis" - loaded with grain from Ukrainian territories - arrived off the coast of Haifa last Sunday and is awaiting permission to dock to unload its cargo.

Haaretz also revealed an investigation backed by documents, maritime traffic data, and satellite images indicating that "Israel received and unloaded at least 4 Russian ships carrying stolen grain from Ukraine during the current year," which is one of the world's leading grain producers.