Ukraine has summoned the Israeli ambassador to Kyiv in protest of the arrival of a Russian vessel carrying stolen Ukrainian grain in Haifa, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Monday evening.
"Friendly Ukrainian-Israeli relations have the potential to benefit both countries, and Russia’s illegal trade with stolen Ukrainian grain should not undermine them," the foreign minister wrote on X/Twitter. "It is difficult to understand Israel’s lack of appropriate response to Ukraine’s legitimate request regarding the previous vessel that delivered stolen goods to Haifa.
"Now that another such vessel has arrived in Haifa, we once again warn Israel against accepting the stolen grain and harming our relations," Sybiha wrote.
A Ukrainian diplomatic source told Reuters earlier that Israel risks a diplomatic and legal response from Kyiv if it allows the vessel, Panormitis, to dock in the northern Israeli city.
"If this ship and its cargo are not rejected, we reserve the right to deploy a full suite of diplomatic and international legal responses," the Ukrainian source said on condition of anonymity.
Israel's Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa'ar responded to the summons in an X post later on Monday, saying that diplomatic relations "are not conducted on Twitter."
"Allegations are not evidence," said Sa'ar. "You did not even submit a request for legal assistance before turning to the media and social networks."
Sa'ar added that the issue would be examined, emphasizing that "Israel is a state that abides by the rule of law with independent law enforcement authorities."
Israel reportedly unloaded four shipments of stolen grain
Haaretz reported on Sunday that four shipments of grain from occupied Ukraine had already been unloaded in Israel this year.
"The practice of laundering stolen goods is unacceptable, and Israel has essentially shrugged off our demands regarding the previous vessel," the source said.
The source added Kyiv was tracking the vessel, warning that allowing it to dock would have consequences for bilateral relations between Ukraine and Israel.