EU may sanction Israelis over ship with looted Ukrainian grain
EU demands information from Israel about Ukrainian wheat stolen by Russia and imported into Israel (Photo: vesselfinder.com/ship-photos)
The EU is considering sanctions on Israeli individuals and entities accused of helping Russia evade restrictions and is seeking details on Ukrainian grain allegedly looted by Moscow and imported into Israel, Haaretz reported on Apr. 28.
EU foreign affairs spokesperson Anouar El Anouni told the newspaper the European Union had “taken note of reports that a Russian shadow fleet vessel carrying stolen Ukrainian grain was allowed to unload at the port of Port of Haifa, despite prior contacts between Ukraine and Israeli authorities on the matter.”
He added that the EU condemns all actions that help finance Russia’s illegal war effort and circumvent EU sanctions.
“We remain ready to curb such actions by listing individuals and entities in third countries, if necessary,” El Anouni said.
He said the EU and Ukraine had requested additional information from Israel.
According to vessel tracking data and satellite imagery, at least two ships carrying stolen grain have arrived in Israel since 2023, and at least one of them unloaded.
The actions of seven vessels that unloaded in Israel last year suggest they likely attempted to conceal the origin of the grain, the report said. Citing internal Russian logs from occupied Ukrainian ports, the newspaper also reported more than 30 shipments of stolen goods destined for Israel.
Sources cited by the outlet described it as a recurring pattern.
According to information obtained by journalists at Haaretz, four shipments of stolen Ukrainian grain have already been unloaded in Israel this year. Another vessel, believed to be Panormitis, loaded with stolen Ukrainian grain, arrived in Haifa Bay on Sunday.
On April 16, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said the vessel ABINSK carrying stolen Ukrainian grain had entered the port of Haifa, stressing to Israeli partners that such import operations are unacceptable and receiving assurances of an appropriate response.
However, Ukrainian diplomats said that despite the information provided and contacts between the sides, the vessel was allowed to unload at the port between April 12 and 14.
Journalist Barak Ravid later reported that Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said the Russian vessel had already left Haifa, making it impossible to detain.
On April 27, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Kyiv had summoned Israel’s ambassador over the country’s acceptance of a second vessel carrying grain stolen by Russia.
Sa’ar responded that diplomatic issues, including between friendly countries, should be resolved through official channels rather than social media or the press.
Earlier, on April 13, Kateryna Yaresko of the SeaKrime project at the Myrotvorets Center said the vessel ABINSK, which Russia used to transport more than 43,000 tons of wheat from temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories, had been received at the port of Haifa.
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