Ukraine has formally requested Israel to seize a vessel it claims is carrying grain looted from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, escalating a rare diplomatic dispute between the two nations. The Panamanian-flagged cargo ship Panormitis is reportedly en route to Haifa port, according to Ukrainian authorities.
Ukrainian 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 said on Telegram that Kyiv is asking Israeli partners to seize the vessel and cargo, conduct a search, seize documentation, take grain samples, and question crew members.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar pushed back against the allegations, accusing Ukraine of engaging in “Twitter diplomacy” and failing to provide evidence. Saar confirmed that a formal petition submitted by Ukraine on Tuesday is being examined by relevant authorities. The vessel’s Greece-based management company denied the claims, stating its cargo is Russian.
Relations between Ukraine and Israel have been strained since Russia’s full-scale invasion, with Israel limiting support to humanitarian aid and resisting pressure to supply weapons or impose sanctions on Moscow. The Israeli outlet Haaretz reported that Israel has been buying grain allegedly looted by Russia from occupied Ukrainian territory for at least two years.
An EU spokesperson told Haaretz that the bloc is considering sanctions on Israeli individuals and entities aiding Russia, noting that a Russian shadow fleet vessel carrying stolen Ukrainian grain was allowed to unload at Haifa port despite Ukraine’s prior contacts with Israeli authorities.
