Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine is preparing sanctions over shipments of grain that, according to Kyiv, were taken by Russia from occupied territories. He stressed that both transporters and buyers could be held accountable.
Zelensky said this on social media while commenting on the arrival of another vessel carrying grain to an Israeli port.
According to the president, purchasing stolen property is a criminal offense in all civilized countries, and this applies in particular to grain that Russia exports from temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories.
He noted that another vessel with such cargo has already arrived at an Israeli port and is preparing to unload. “This is not and cannot be legitimate business,” the head of state stressed.
Zelensky emphasized that Israeli authorities cannot be unaware of which vessels and what cargo are entering the country’s ports.
He said Russia systematically exports grain from occupied territories using individuals linked to the occupiers. Such actions, he stressed, violate, among other things, Israeli law.
The president stated that Ukraine had already taken all necessary diplomatic steps, but the vessel was not stopped. He therefore instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to inform international partners about the situation.
Zelensky also announced the preparation of a sanctions package. It will target both grain transporters and individuals and entities involved in the scheme. Ukraine plans to coordinate these measures with European partners.
The head of state added that Ukraine expects partnership and mutual respect, and also expects Israel to refrain from actions that could undermine bilateral relations.
Earlier, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha warned Israel against accepting grain that Russia had taken from occupied territories.
In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said that “allegations are not evidence.”
Previously, Kateryna Yaresko, a journalist with the SeaKrime project of the Myrotvorets Center, reported that the vessel ABINSK delivered more than 43,000 tonnes of wheat from temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories to Haifa. The vessel departed from Kerch on March 17, 2026, and waited for permission to enter the port from March 23, which it received on April 12.