Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Monday that Israel’s ambassador had been summoned to his ministry over what he described as Israeli inaction in allowing shipments of grain to enter the country from Russian-occupied Ukraine.

“In a joint démarche with Ukraine, we are requesting additional information from the Israeli authorities on this subject,” the spokesperson adds, after Ukraine summoned Israel’s envoy to Kyiv today to protest the alleged incident and prevent Israel from accepting an additional vessel.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar told Sybiha that Ukraine had provided no evidence to support allegations that the grain was “stolen.” He accused him of conducting diplomacy through the media.

The Haaretz daily reported earlier that the vessel Panormitis, which it said was carrying grain from occupied Ukrainian territory, was waiting for permission to berth in Haifa.

The newspaper said four shipments of grain from occupied Ukraine had already been unloaded in Israel this year.

A European Union spokesperson later told The Times of Israel that Brussels has “taken note” of reports on the Russian vessels and warned that those involved could face EU sanctions.

“We condemn all actions that help fund Russia’s illegal war effort and circumvent EU sanctions, and remain ready to target such actions by listing individuals and entities in third countries if necessary,” the EU spokesperson told The Times of Israel in a statement.

Sybiha, writing in English on the X social media platform, said it was “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........

© The Times of Israel