Ukraine has formally requested that Israel seize a vessel it claims is carrying grain looted from Russian-occupied territories, escalating a rare diplomatic dispute between the two nations. The Panamanian-flagged cargo ship Panormitis is reportedly en route to dock in Haifa, according to Ukrainian officials.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated this week that “another vessel” carrying grain “stolen by Russia” had arrived at an Israeli port and was preparing to unload. Ukraine’s prosecutor general, Ruslan Kravchenko, called on Israeli partners to search the vessel, seize documentation, take grain samples, and question the crew.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar pushed back, accusing Kyiv of “Twitter diplomacy” and failing to provide evidence that the cargo was stolen. He confirmed that Ukraine’s formal petition, submitted on Tuesday, was under review by relevant authorities. The vessel’s Greece-based management company denied the allegations, stating its cargo was Russian.
Ukraine also raised concerns about another ship, the Abinsk, which it claims carried stolen grain and was allowed to unload in Israel despite Kyiv’s objections. Relations between the two countries have been strained since Russia’s full-scale invasion, with Israel limiting support to humanitarian aid and resisting sanctions against Moscow.
The Israeli outlet Haaretz reported that Israel has been buying grain allegedly looted from Ukraine for at least two years. An EU spokesperson said the bloc was considering sanctions on Israeli individuals and entities aiding Russia, noting reports of a Russian shadow fleet vessel unloading stolen grain in Haifa.
