Israel's ambassador to Kiev, summoned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine after the arrival of grain ships “stolen by Russia” in the port of Haifa
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry summoned Israel's ambassador to Kiev on Tuesday morning after a new ship loaded with grain that Ukrainian authorities say was “stolen by Russia” arrived in the port of Haifa, according to AFP.
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The announcement was made on Monday by the head of Ukrainian diplomacy, Andrii Sîbiga, according to the same agency, quoted by Agerpres.
In a message published on the X platform, Sîbiga wrote that the relations between Ukraine and Israel are “friendly”but warned that they may be affected by Russia's “illegal trade in stolen Ukrainian grain”.
“Against any touch upon our relations”
Ukraine had already informed the Israeli side, in mid-April, about the arrival of another ship that, according to the Ukrainian authorities, was carrying grain from the territories occupied by Russia. The Ukrainian minister criticized “the lack of an adequate response from Israel to Ukraine's legitimate request regarding the previous ship“, adding that “another ship of this kind has arrived at Haifa.”
“We once again warn Israel against accepting this stolen grain and against any further harm to our relations“, Sîbiga said, stating that the Israeli ambassador will be handed a note of protest.
In May 2024, the European Council stated that there is evidence that Russia is illegally confiscating significant quantities of grain and oilseeds from the occupied Ukrainian regions and exporting them as Russian products.
Currently, Vladimir Putin's troops control just over 19% of Ukraine's territory.
