Zelenskyy’s announcement comes after Israeli and Ukrainian officials sparred over the issue on social media on Monday. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote on X that this stolen grain should not “undermine” Ukrainian-Israeli relations: “It is difficult to understand Israel’s lack of appropriate response to Ukraine’s legitimate request regarding the previous vessel that delivered stolen goods to Haifa.”
His counterpart, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, quickly responded on X, arguing that evidence of “stolen” grain had not yet been provided.
“You did not even submit a request for legal assistance before turning to the media and social networks,” Sa’ar said.
The delivery in question is the Panama-flagged bulk carrier Panormitis, which docked in Haifa on April 26, according to the marine traffic monitoring services. The ship carried thousands of tons of wheat and barley, according to Ukrainian journalist Kateryna Yaresko.