Ukraine summons Israeli envoy over Russian vessel carrying alleged stolen cargo to Haifa

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha says Kyiv has summoned Israel’s ambassador to Ukraine to “request appropriate action” over a vessel carrying grain from Russian-occupied Ukraine seeking to dock at the port of Haifa, in light of reports that similar shipments of grain had already been unloaded in Israel this year.

“Friendly Ukrainian-Israeli relations have the potential to benefit both countries, and Russia’s illegal trade with stolen Ukrainian grain should not undermine them,” Sybiha writes on X.

“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,” Sybiha writes, referring to a similar incident last week.

“Now that another such vessel has arrived in Haifa, we once again warn Israel against accepting the stolen grain and harming our relations. In this context, we have already officially summoned the Israeli ambassador to [the Foreign Ministry] tomorrow morning to present our protest note and request appropriate action,” Sybiha concludes.

Responding on X, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar stresses that “evidence substantiating the allegations has yet to be provided” and says “the matter will be examined.”

“Israel is a state that abides by the rule of law with independent law enforcement authorities. All Israeli authorities will act in accordance with the law,” Sa’ar adds.