New Crisis Between Ukraine and Israel Over 'Stolen Grain'.. Zelensky Comments

Zelensky Comments on the Grain Crisis Between Ukraine and Israel

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Israel's purchase of grain coming from Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia cannot be considered a legitimate act, amid rising diplomatic tensions between Kyiv and Tel Aviv over this issue.

Zelensky: Stolen Grain Cannot Be Legitimate

Zelensky, in a post on the platform 'X', said that Kyiv sees the purchase of grain believed to be stolen from Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia as "not a legitimate act".

He added that Ukraine is working on preparing sanctions against those trying to profit from these shipments, referring to export networks linked to areas under Russian control.

Grain Ship Arrives at Israeli Port Amid Ukrainian Accusations

The Ukrainian president noted the arrival of a new ship carrying grain from these areas to one of the ports in Israel, explaining that it is preparing to unload its cargo.

Zelensky confirmed that this action is "not a legitimate act", adding that Israeli authorities cannot be unaware of the identity of the ships entering their ports and the nature of their cargo.

Ukraine Accuses Russia of Exporting Grain from Occupied Territories

Zelensky accused Russia of systematically seizing grain from temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories and then organizing its export through entities linked to the Russian presence in those areas.

He pointed out that these operations, as he described them, violate Israeli laws themselves, emphasizing that Kyiv expects Israel to respect bilateral relations and not take steps that could harm them.

Summoning the Israeli Ambassador and Diplomatic Accusations

In a related context, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha announced that the ministry summoned the Israeli ambassador, protesting what he described as "Israel's inaction" and allowing the reception of grain shipments coming from territories that Ukraine claims are occupied by Russia.

In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Gidon Sa'ar conveyed to his Ukrainian counterpart that Kyiv had not provided any evidence proving that this grain is "stolen".

Ukraine and Russia's Position on Territories and Grain

Ukraine considers all grain produced in the four regions that Russia declared annexed since the start of its military operation in 2022, in addition to the Crimea peninsula annexed in 2014, as "stolen grain" being seized illegally.

In contrast, Russia describes these areas as "new Russian territories", while the international community still recognizes them as Ukrainian territories.