Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has rebuked his Ukrainian counterpart on social media, saying Kiev has not provided evidence that Israel is buying “stolen” grain from Russia.
On Monday, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga condemned Israel for facilitating what he called Russia’s “illegal trade in stolen Ukrainian grain.”
Ukrainian media earlier reported that the cargo vessel Panormitis, carrying grain from Russia’s new regions, was approaching the Israeli port of Haifa.
“It is difficult to understand Israel’s lack of an appropriate response to Ukraine’s legitimate request regarding the previous vessel that delivered stolen goods to Haifa,” Sibiga wrote on X, adding that the Israeli ambassador was summoned to the ministry on Tuesday morning.
In a rebuke to Sibiga, Saar wrote on X that “diplomatic relations, especially between friendly nations, are not conducted on Twitter or in the media.”
“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,” Saar wrote, adding that the matter would be examined by the Israeli authorities.
Relations between the countries are tense, as Ukraine has criticized Israel for not imposing sanctions on Russia or cutting ties. Reuters, citing a Ukrainian diplomatic source, reported that Kiev would “reserve the right to deploy a full suite of diplomatic and international legal responses” if the ship is allowed to dock in Israel.
Ukraine considers five regions, including Kherson and Zaporozhye, which joined Russia following referendums in 2022, to be occupied territory. Russia has insisted that, for a lasting peace settlement, Ukraine must recognize its new borders.