(SeaPRwire) –   On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of potential sanctions against Israel, alleging that the nation is ignoring the import of grain that he claims was looted from Ukraine by Russian forces.

“Another ship transporting this type of grain has docked at an Israeli port and is preparing to offload. This is not – and cannot be considered – a legitimate business,” Zelenskyy stated on X on Tuesday morning. “Israeli officials must be aware of the vessels entering their ports and the nature of their cargo.”

He continued by stating that Ukraine is developing a sanctions package aimed at those transporting the grain, as well as “the individuals and legal entities trying to profit from this criminal plot.” Additionally, Ukraine summoned Israel’s ambassador to its foreign ministry regarding the shipment.

“We anticipate that the Israeli government will show respect for Ukraine and avoid actions that damage our bilateral ties.”

Kyiv classifies any grain harvested from Ukrainian territories seized by Russia since the 2022 invasion, along with Crimea, as stolen property. The government has frequently lodged complaints with other nations, contending that the profits help finance the war. Ukraine asserts that Russia uses a shadow fleet to transport the grain for its own use and for other sanctioned nations like Venezuela and Iran. While Russia claims the grain originates from “new territories,” the international community still recognizes these areas as occupied Ukrainian land.

Zelenskyy’s statement followed a public dispute between Israeli and Ukrainian diplomats on social media this past Monday. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha posted on X that the issue of stolen grain should not harm the relationship between Ukraine and Israel: “It is hard to comprehend Israel’s failure to respond appropriately to Ukraine’s valid request concerning the earlier ship that brought stolen cargo to Haifa.”

In a swift reply on X, his Israeli counterpart, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, argued that no proof of the grain being “stolen” had been presented. 

“You did not even file a request for legal aid before appealing to the press and social media,” Sa’ar remarked.

The shipment under discussion involves the Panama-flagged bulk carrier Panormitis, which arrived in Haifa on April 26, based on maritime tracking data. Ukrainian journalist Kateryna Yaresko reported that the vessel was transporting thousands of tons of wheat and barley.

A report published on Sunday by the Israeli outlet Haaretz revealed that at least four other consignments of “stolen” Ukrainian grain—defined as produce from occupied regions—have already been offloaded in Israel this year.

Tensions between Ukraine and Israel have persisted for a while 

The disagreement regarding the stolen grain is merely the most recent incident in a diplomatic relationship that has been under strain between Ukraine and Israel. 

Zelenskyy has publicly chastised Israel for what he perceives as a hesitation to provide tangible support to Ukraine during Russia’s continued invasion, whereas Israel keeps diplomatic channels open with both parties in the conflict. 

Although Ukraine has voiced support for the joint Israeli-U.S. strikes on Iran, the regional conflict directly affects Ukraine’s capacity to protect itself from Russian missile attacks and has provided a boost to Moscow’s oil sector.

Ukraine was already dealing with a scarcity of U.S.-manufactured Patriot air defense systems, which cost $4 million each and are used to intercept ballistic missiles and drones. When the U.S. assisted Israel in its attack on Iran in late February, those same munitions were deployed to counter Iranian threats against American bases and allies in the Middle East.

“If the conflict drags on, there will be fewer weapons available for Ukraine,” Zelenskyy stated during an interview on German TV in early April, coinciding with the start of a tentative ceasefire. “We are already facing such a deficit; the situation cannot deteriorate further.”