The European Commission has contacted the Israeli Foreign Ministry regarding grain stolen by Russia
The European Commission has asked the Israeli Foreign Ministry to verify reports that a vessel belonging to Russia’s “shadow fleet” may have unloaded grain at the port of Haifa that was reportedly stolen from Ukraine.
A spokesperson for the European Commission on foreign affairs informed a "EP" correspondent of this on Tuesday, April 28.
The EU has taken note of reports regarding a vessel from Russia’s “shadow fleet” carrying grain from occupied Ukrainian territories, which allegedly unloaded at the Israeli port of Haifa, and has raised the matter with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“The EU has taken note of reports that a vessel from Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ carrying stolen Ukrainian grain was allowed to unload at the port of Haifa in Israel, despite Ukraine’s prior contacts with Israeli authorities regarding this issue,” a European Commission spokesperson told EuroPravda.
He emphasized that the EU “condemns all actions that help finance Russia’s illegal military efforts and circumvent EU sanctions.”
"We have raised this issue with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs," the spokesperson said.
He assured that the EU remains ready "to apply targeted measures against such actions by adding individuals and entities in third countries to sanctions lists, if necessary."
"As demonstrated last week by the approval of a 90-billion-euro support loan for Ukraine and the 20th sanctions package, the EU remains unwavering in its support for Ukraine and in applying pressure on Russia until it ends its war of aggression," the European Commission emphasized.
As reported, the vessel PANORMITIS arrived at the Israeli port of Haifa with a shipment of grain that may have originated from the occupied territories of Ukraine.
The European Commission is discussing new models for Ukraine’s gradual integration into the EU.
Ukraine hopes that the European Union will open all six negotiation clusters regarding the country’s accession as early as this year, and also anticipates the possibility of closing at least one of them by the end of the year.
Ukraine may temporarily forgo some of the benefits of EU membership to accelerate the accession process. Taras Kachka noted that such a step would help Ukraine integrate into the EU more quickly.
