Ukraine has officially warned Israel of a potential crisis in bilateral relations as the vessel Panormitis approaches the port of Haifa. The ship carries Ukrainian grain illegally exported by Russian occupiers from temporarily seized territories. Kyiv demands that Israeli authorities block the unloading of the stolen goods to avoid international legal repercussions.
Axios journalist Barak Ravid reported this information, citing high-ranking diplomatic sources.
Ukraine insists on denying the ship entry to the port.
“If this vessel and its cargo are not rejected, we reserve the right to use the full range of international diplomatic and legal response measures,” an anonymous Ukrainian official stated.
Kyiv described the incident as a “slap in the face” because Israel previously ignored warnings regarding another ship, the ABINSK.
Background of the Grain Dispute
Ukrainian officials emphasized their strategic goodwill toward Israel. Kyiv recently designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization and criminalized antisemitism. Despite these steps, the Russian ship ABINSK recently unloaded over 43,000 tons of stolen wheat in Haifa. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed it could not detain the vessel as it had already departed.
Ukrainian intelligence identified the ship’s preparation in occupied Kerch on March 20, 2026. Ambassador Yevgen Korniychuk provided evidence of sanctions violations to Israeli officials well in advance. Currently, diplomats monitor the Panormitis to prevent further profiting from looted Ukrainian resources. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha discussed the unacceptability of such trade with his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Sa’ar.
Previously, The Ukrainian Review reported that Ukraine and Norway to Jointly Produce Drones for Ukrainian Defense Forces.
