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**Kyiv, April 28, 2026** — Ukraine has formally summoned Israel’s ambassador to protest the alleged import of grain stolen by Russia from occupied Ukrainian territories, escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries amid the ongoing war.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced that Ambassador Michael Brodsky was called in on April 28 to receive an official note of protest. Kyiv demanded that Israel take immediate measures to prevent further imports of what it describes as looted Ukrainian agricultural products.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly condemned the move, stating, “Buying stolen goods is a crime.” He added that Israeli authorities “cannot be unaware” of the origin of the cargo and warned that such actions damage bilateral relations. Ukraine has reserved the right to pursue further diplomatic, legal, and sanctions-related responses, including potential involvement of European Union partners.
The latest incident centers on a vessel reportedly carrying grain from Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine that arrived at the Israeli port of Haifa. Ukrainian officials have identified this as the second such shipment flagged this year. Kyiv has been actively tracking vessels suspected of transporting grain looted from occupied regions, including parts of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Donetsk oblasts.
Israeli officials, including Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, have pushed back against the allegations. They maintain that Ukraine has not provided sufficient concrete evidence linking the shipments to stolen grain. According to reports, at least one previous vessel had already unloaded its cargo before stronger preventive action could be taken.
This diplomatic friction comes against the backdrop of Russia’s systematic looting of Ukrainian agricultural resources since the full-scale invasion began in 2022. Ukraine has repeatedly issued warnings and sought international legal assistance to intercept such exports.
While relations between Ukraine and Israel have historically been described as pragmatic and potentially mutually beneficial, the war has introduced strains, particularly over issues like arms supplies and diplomatic stances. As of now, no major escalation beyond the ambassadorial summons and public statements has occurred, but the situation remains fluid with possible further developments in the coming days.
