Ukraine Requests Israel Seize Cargo Vessel Suspected of Carrying Illegally Transported Grain

KYIV — Ukraine on Wednesday officially requested Israel seize the Panormitis cargo vessel, which is sailing under a Panamanian flag and currently on its way to the port of Haifa. "The vessel is suspected of carrying a grain cargo that was illegally transported from a closed port in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine in violation of international law and Ukrainian legislation," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said in a post on X. Sybiha on Monday complained Israel had failed to provide an "appropriate response" to Kyiv's seizure request. In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar chided his Ukrainian counterpart, arguing "diplomatic relations, especially between friendly nations, are not conducted on Twitter or in the media." Sybiha on Wednesday insisted his country was not engaging "Twitter diplomacy," but instead making a "very concrete legal and diplomatic request for international legal assistance that necessitates a response." "We expect the Israeli side to take it seriously rather than responding with emotional statements," he added. Sa'ar rejected the allegation and doubled down on his criticism, insisting Israel was right in expecting "the submission of a legal request" for the seizure. He added that the formal petition, which was submitted by Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office on Tuesday, was "now being examined by the relevant authorities." "The Ukrainian side asks the Israeli partners to seize the ship and cargo, conduct a search, seize ship and cargo documentation, take grain samples, and interrogate the crew members," Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko said in a statement Wednesday. According to the investigation, Panormitis is transporting grain coming from Ukrainian territory currently occupied by Russia. “The products were loaded after transshipment from another vessel. It is currently heading to the port of Haifa. The investigators documented the facts of the vessel’s illegal entry into closed ports of Ukraine. This is a gross violation of Ukrainian legislation and the norms of international maritime law,” Kravchenko added. The prosecutor added that, according to his data, Russia has looted and profited from more than 1.7 million tons of agricultural products worth over 20 billion hryvnia (387,5 million euros) since 2022 from the occupied territories of Ukraine.