Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Kyiv is considering sanctions against Israeli citizens and companies who, according to the Ukrainian side, are purchasing grain originating from Ukrainian territories under Russian occupation. In a post on platform X, Zelensky stated that the Ukrainian government is preparing a new sanctions package, which will target both those transporting the cargo and the buyers in Israel. This development signals new tensions in Kyiv-Tel Aviv relations, which have been repeatedly tested due to Israel’s stance toward Russia and its maintenance of communication channels with Moscow.
Zelensky: This cannot be legitimate business activity
According to Ukrainian accusations, two ships allegedly carrying “plundered” Ukrainian wheat were heading to the port of Haifa this week to unload their cargo.
In any normal country, purchasing stolen goods is an act that entails legal liability. This applies, in particular, to grain stolen by Russia. Another vessel carrying such grain has arrived at a port in Israel and is preparing to unload. This is not – and cannot be – legitimate…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 28, 2026
Israeli newspaper Haaretz had previously reported that four shipments of grain from occupied Ukrainian territories have already arrived and been unloaded in Israel.
Zelensky argued that Ukraine had taken “all necessary steps through diplomatic channels” to prevent similar incidents, but without results.
“This is not and cannot be legitimate business activity,” he stated, adding that Israeli authorities cannot ignore which ships arrive at the country’s ports and what cargo they carry.
The confrontation had already emerged since Monday, when Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar accused Ukraine of not providing sufficient evidence for its claims.
The statement came as a response to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, who had said it is difficult to explain why Israel has not responded as it should to Ukraine’s legitimate request.
