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Russia Expands Exports of Stolen Ukrainian Grain to Africa and Middle East Countries, Ukraine’s FM Says
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Shipments of grain taken by Russian forces from temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories have been sent not only to Israel but also to several other countries, including in Africa, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said.
Speaking at an online briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi stated that such cargo has been delivered to a number of destinations beyond Israel, according to RBC-Ukraine correspondent on April 28.
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“Such cargoes have been delivered to Türkiye, Egypt, Algeria and some other countries. These are just the cases I can recall from memory that happened earlier,” Tykhyi said.
He added that multiple vessels are currently transporting what Ukraine considers stolen grain, with one ship heading toward Egypt and another toward Algeria.
“Our message is very simple. We see this. We will not leave it without attention. And we will respond, regardless of the geographical location, not only in relation to Israel. So, we see everything. This will not go without an appropriate response,” he emphasized.
On April 27, Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Israeli Ambassador Michael Brodsky to issue a formal protest after a Russian vessel believed to be carrying grain taken from Ukrainian territories docked at an Israeli port.
The incident represents the second recent case of a ship transporting Ukrainian grain arriving in Haifa. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha voiced concern over what he called an inadequate response from Israel following an earlier inquiry into a similar shipment.
He added that while Ukraine and Israel have the potential for strong bilateral relations, continued trade involving allegedly stolen grain could negatively affect those ties.
Meanwhile, the European Union is considering sanctions against individuals suspected of enabling the shipment of Ukrainian grain taken by Russia to the port of Haifa in Israel, EU foreign affairs spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said the bloc is examining the reports and has expressed concern over the alleged deliveries.
“The European Union has taken note of the reports that a Russian shadow fleet vessel carrying stolen Ukrainian grain has been allowed to unload at Haifa port in Israel, and that despite previous contacts of Ukraine with Israeli authorities on the subject,” he said.
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