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Israel Rejects Shipment of Ukrainian Grain Stolen by Russia From Occupied Territories
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A shipment of Ukrainian grain that was taken by Russia from temporarily occupied territories will not be unloaded in Israel.
This was announced by an Israeli official in a comment to The Times of Israel on April 30.
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The Israeli official said the decision to reject the wheat and barley cargo carried by the Panama-flagged Panormitis was made by the importer, not by government authorities.
News outlet N12 also clarified that the shipment had been expected to arrive at the port of Haifa, but Israeli importer Cenziper, one of the country’s largest grain importers, declined to accept it.
The company informed the supplier that it would need to find an alternative destination for unloading.
Israeli importers have expressed concern about potential exposure to European sanctions, while also criticizing the government for a lack of guidance and support in handling such shipments, according to N12.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed reports by Israeli media that the vessel Panormitis will not unload its cargo at an Israeli port.
Sybiha said the outcome was the result of Ukraine’s effective diplomatic and legal efforts.
“This is also a clear signal to all other vessels, captains, operators, insurers, and governments: do not buy stolen Ukrainian grain. Do not become part of this crime. We continue to track this particular vessel and warn everyone against any operations with it,” the minister stated.
This is a welcome development that the “PANORMITIS” vessel, which is illegally transporting grain from Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territories, will not be unloading in Israel.
— Andrii Sybiha 🇺🇦 (@andrii_sybiha) April 30, 2026
This demonstrates that Ukraine’s legal and diplomatic actions have been effective.
This is also a…
However, Russian efforts to market grain taken from occupied Ukrainian territories extend beyond Israel, according to Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry.
Speaking at an online briefing on April 28, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said such shipments have reached multiple countries, including in Africa, RBC-Ukraine reported.
“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.
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Meanwhile, the European Union is considering sanctions against individuals believed to have enabled the delivery of Ukrainian grain taken by Russia to the port of Haifa in Israel.
EU foreign affairs spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said the bloc is assessing the reports and has expressed concern over the alleged shipments.
“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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