Zelensky accuses Israel of buying grain stolen by Russians in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sharply criticized Israel today, stating that Russia is exporting grain to that country that it seized in the occupied Ukrainian territories, and that the Israeli authorities cannot pretend not to know about it.

Zelensky wrote on the X platform that "Russia is systematically seizing grain in the occupied Ukrainian territories and organizing its export through individuals associated with the occupier."

He wrote that "a ship has again sailed into a port in Israel" with such stolen grain, which is not and cannot be a legal business, and the Israeli authorities cannot help but know which ships are arriving in their country and what they are transporting.

Agencies write that this is the port of Haifa in Israel, and the newspaper Haaretz has determined through investigation that this is the fourth ship this year with such cargo.

"In any normal country, purchasing stolen goods is an act for which one bears responsibility," Zelensky wrote, adding that such schemes violate the laws of the State of Israel itself.

According to him, Ukraine has taken all measures through diplomatic channels to prevent such incidents.

"However, we witness that another such vessel has not been stopped. I have instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to inform all partners of our country about the situation," Zelensky wrote.

"Based on the findings of our intelligence services, Ukraine is preparing a package of sanctions, which will be directed both against those transporting grain, and against individuals and legal entities trying to profit from this criminal scheme," Zelensky warned.

He added that Ukraine, in coordination with European partners, will ensure that these individuals are included in the European Union sanctions list.

According to Haaretz, since 2023, several ships have entered Israeli ports with cargo that could originate from the occupied Ukrainian territories.

Since the annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea in 2014 and the aggression in 2022, Russia has controlled approximately one-fifth of Ukrainian territory.

The occupied parts of Ukraine taken over by the Russian army, in the south of the country, are not of importance for mining or industry, but are famous for their black soil, or chernozem, which is ideal for agriculture.