Ukraine Demands Action from Israel Over 'Stolen Grain' Ship
Posting on X, the platform owned by US social media company, Sybiha confirmed that Ukraine had engaged Israel through official diplomatic and legal channels, calling for action against the ship identified as "PANORMITIS." He added that Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office had formally submitted a request to Israeli authorities to detain the vessel as part of an active criminal investigation.
"The vessel is suspected of carrying a grain cargo that was illegally transported from a closed port in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine in violation of international law and Ukrainian legislation," Sybiha said.
Pushing back against characterizations of the move as social media posturing, the minister drew a firm line: "This is not Twitter diplomacy, but a very concrete legal and diplomatic request for international legal assistance that necessitates a response. We expect the Israeli side to take it seriously rather than responding with emotional statements," he added.
The formal request follows Kyiv's summoning of Israel's ambassador to Ukraine the previous day. Sybiha had first raised the alarm Monday, warning that the arrival of a vessel allegedly carrying looted grain was unacceptable, and expressing frustration at Israel's muted response to an earlier shipment that had already docked in Haifa earlier in the month.
"Now that another such vessel has arrived in Haifa, we once again warn Israel against accepting the stolen grain and harming our relations," Sybiha added.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar had pushed back sharply against Monday's statements, taking to social media to defend his government's position: "Allegations are not evidence. Evidence substantiating the allegations has yet to be provided. You did not even submit a request for legal assistance before turning to the media and social networks."
The diplomatic standoff escalated further when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Tuesday that Kyiv is assembling a targeted sanctions package aimed at those orchestrating the alleged scheme. Zelenskyy said the measures would cover "both those directly transporting this grain and the individuals and legal entities attempting to profit from this criminal scheme."
Saar responded to Sybiha's latest remarks with pointed criticism over the sequencing of Ukraine's public and legal actions: "One would expect the submission of a legal request before Tweeting. You chose differently, for your own reasons."
Acknowledging receipt of the formal submission, Saar added: "Finally, you submitted the request late last night and now you are following it up with another Tweet," the Israeli foreign minister added, noting that Ukraine's request is now being examined by the relevant authorities.
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