Ukraine summons Israeli Ambassador over alleged Russian stolen grain shipments to Haifa

Ukraine has summoned the Israeli ambassador for Tuesday morning after a second vessel carrying what Kyiv describes as Russian-stolen Ukrainian grain docked at the port of Haifa, Foreign Minister Andriï Sybiga announced Monday.

In a post on X, Sybiga acknowledged that Ukraine and Israel maintain "friendly" relations, but warned they could be strained by what he called Russia's "illegal trade in stolen Ukrainian grain." 

A formal note of protest is to be handed to the Israeli ambassador on Tuesday.

This is not the first such incident. Kyiv had already alerted Israel in mid-April to the arrival of a previous vessel at Haifa allegedly carrying grain from Ukrainian territories under Russian occupation. Sybiga cited Israel's "lack of appropriate response" to that earlier complaint as the reason for escalating the matter diplomatically.

"We once again warn Israel against accepting this stolen grain and against any damage to our relations," he said.

The allegations are consistent with findings by the European Council, which stated in May 2024 that "there is evidence that Russia is currently illegally appropriating large quantities of cereals and oilseeds in the Ukrainian territories it occupies, and exporting them as supposedly Russian products."

Russia currently occupies just over 19% of Ukrainian territory. 

For Kyiv, the issue goes beyond economics, it is a matter of sovereignty, international law and the integrity of partnerships it cannot afford to lose.