Zelenskyy planning sanctions over stolen Ukrainian grain shipments to Israel
Ukraine is preparing a sanctions package against individuals and companies involved in the trade of stolen Ukrainian grain following reports of a second shipment arriving in Israel, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on social media on Tuesday.
The sanctions will target those transporting the grain and all entities attempting to profit from the "criminal scheme."
He noted that Ukraine intends to coordinate these measures with European partners to ensure the implicated companies are included in broader EU sanctions regimes.
"Purchasing stolen goods is an act that entails legal liability. This applies, in particular, to grain stolen by Russia," Zelenskyy wrote. “Another vessel carrying such grain has arrived at a port in Israel and is preparing to unload. This is not – and cannot be – legitimate business. The Israeli authorities cannot be unaware of which ships are arriving at the country’s ports and what cargo they are carrying.”
Zelenskyy has instructed the Foreign Ministry to inform all international partners of the situation.
Background
The announcement follows reports from the SeaKrime investigative project, which identified the vessel ABINSK as having delivered over 43,000 tons of wheat from temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories to the port of Haifa.
The ship, based in Kerch, occupied Crimea, departed on March 17, 2026, and was accepted at Haifa on April 12 after waiting weeks for authorization.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha reportedly spoke with his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Sa'ar, to emphasize that such trade is unacceptable.
On April 25, another vessel, the Panormitis, was identified approaching Haifa with grain from occupied regions, according to SeaKrime. According to reports from Axios and diplomatic sources, Ukraine has warned Israel of a potential diplomatic crisis if the second vessel is permitted to unload.