Sa’ar slams Ukraine’s ‘Twitter diplomacy,’ says Kyiv has given no evidence grain from Russia is stolen

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar pushes back against Ukrainian allegations that Israel is allowing stolen grain to enter its ports, accusing Kyiv of conducting “Twitter diplomacy” and failing to provide evidence that the Russian cargo waiting to dock in Israel was stolen from occupied Ukrainian territory.

“Clearly, we reject this kind of Twitter diplomacy,” Sa’ar says at a press conference, in a response to accusations made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on X earlier today.

Sa’ar says he spoke with the Israel Tax Authority on the matter today but stresses that, at this stage, “the vessel has not entered the port and has yet to submit its documents,” and that it is impossible to verify claims that shipping records were forged.

“Up until this point, the Ukrainian government has not submitted a request for legal assistance. They submitted tweets,” he says. “Nor has the Ukrainian government provided evidence for its claims.”

Israel, he adds, “is a state that abides by the rule of law,” and any legal action must be based on substantiated evidence submitted through proper channels.

“We say again to our Ukrainian friends: if you have any evidence of theft, submit it through the appropriate channels,” Sa’ar says, adding that Israel “will not be influenced” by public pressure.

He also expresses surprise at the criticism, noting Israel’s past support for Ukraine in international forums and through humanitarian assistance during its ongoing war with Russia.