Неприйнятний дисонанс: МЗС вручило ноту ізраїльському послу через крадене зерно

On April 28, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine delivered a note of protest to the extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of Israel, Michael Brodsky, regarding the ongoing import of agricultural products into Israel that have been illegally exported by the Russian Federation from temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. **Source:** Comment from the MFA spokesperson, Georgiy Tykhyy. **Details:** The Ukrainian side emphasized that the origin of the grain is well-established, and the methods of its concealment, particularly the "ship-to-ship" transfers in the Black Sea, are well-known to relevant Israeli authorities. Despite this, these shipments continue to enter Israeli ports and enter commercial circulation. It was specifically highlighted that the Israeli side's disregard for Ukraine's official inquiries and requests for international legal assistance, including appeals to detain vessels and cargo, effectively creates conditions for the legalization of stolen Ukrainian grain. The MFA stated that these incidents are not viewed as isolated cases, but rather as a systematic practice indicative of deliberate facilitation of illegal economic activities related to the temporary occupation of Ukrainian territories and evasion of sanctions. Tykhyy stressed that this issue is not solely about Israel; the Ukrainian side systematically reacts and combats such Russian activities in all geographical areas. Additionally, the Ukrainian side pointed out the unacceptable dissonance where, amidst Ukraine's support for Israel's security and its actions against terrorist threats, particularly those related to Iran, Israel effectively allows the import of stolen Ukrainian grain from Russia. In this regard, Ukraine demands that Israel take immediate measures to halt the import of stolen grain and prevent its unloading in Israeli ports. The MFA also responded to allegations from the Israeli minister regarding Ukrainian diplomats acting "outside diplomatic channels," providing a step-by-step chronology of Ukraine's actions: - March 23: The Ukrainian ambassador to Israel met with the Israeli MFA to present a note and inform them about the vessel "ABINSK" and its cargo of stolen Ukrainian grain, stating that any import operations related to this vessel are unacceptable. - Late March - Early April: A series of contacts between the Ukrainian ambassador and official representatives of Israel regarding the mentioned vessel. - April 14: An official conversation between the foreign ministers, during which Ukrainian FM Andriy Sybiga urged his Israeli counterpart not to accept the cargo and vessel. - April 15: At the end of the day, the Ukrainian Embassy in Israel received materials from the Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office regarding an international legal assistance request and a corresponding court order related to the vessel "ABINSK" in criminal proceedings. - These materials were forwarded to the Israeli MFA and Ministry of Justice the same day via a note from the Embassy. - April 15: The Israeli side prematurely completed the unloading of the vessel and allowed it to leave, despite Ukraine's request to refrain from this action. - April 16: The Ukrainian side reiterated its request for international legal assistance and expressed hope that the unloaded grain would be seized. - Second half of April: Additional diplomatic and legal appeals from the Ukrainian Embassy to the Israeli MFA and Ministry of Justice, and preparation of a lawsuit in Israeli court regarding the stolen grain. - April 20: The only official response received from the Israeli MFA stated that Israel does not plan to take real measures to stop illegal trade or to arrest shipments of stolen grain or vessels transporting it, citing a formal assertion that the ship had left Israel and deeming Ukraine's evidence insufficient. - April 25: The Ukrainian Embassy in Israel officially notified Israel about another vessel, the "PANORMITIS," approaching Haifa with cargo from occupied Ukrainian territories, which was again ignored. - April 27 (evening): An official note of protest was sent to the Israeli Embassy in Ukraine with information about the vessel and its cargo, demanding action. Israeli Ambassador Michael Brodsky was officially summoned to the Ukrainian MFA. - April 28 (morning): Ambassador Brodsky received the note at the Ukrainian MFA, where the content of the note and Ukraine's position were verbally communicated to him. - Since April 27: Despite media reports and all actions taken by the Ukrainian side, the vessel remains at anchor in Haifa, awaiting unloading.