Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha met with Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa’ar to discuss a Russian vessel carrying grain allegedly stolen from Ukraine since Russia’s 2022 invasion. Kyiv considers all grain produced in the four regions Russia claimed as its own and Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, as stolen by Moscow.
Sybiha emphasized that illegal export of Ukrainian agricultural products is part of Russia’s war effort, stating “illegal trade with stolen goods must not be allowed.” He also noted that Russia refers to these areas as its “new territories,” though they remain internationally recognized as Ukrainian.
In March, Sybiha estimated Russia had moved over 2 million tons of stolen grain through the Black Sea last year. An August estimate by a Ukrainian official suggested Russia has stolen 15 million tons of Ukrainian grain since the full-scale war began.
The ministers also discussed security matters and the situation in the Middle East, reaffirming their mutual interest in advancing bilateral relations and maintaining active dialogue on security-related issues.