Another country tempted by stolen Ukrainian grain

Despite repeated warnings, the vessel ASOMATOS was allowed to unload 26.9 thousand tonnes of stolen Ukrainian wheat at Egypt’s Abu Qir port. This marks the fourth case of so-called «laundering» of Russian grain through Egyptian ports since April, said Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.

The vessel was cleared to unload even though, four days earlier, Ukraine’s Office of the Prosecutor General had officially appealed to Egypt’s Ministry of Justice for legal assistance regarding the cargo. The shipment involved grain taken from occupied Crimea by the sanctioned company Agro-Fregat. The Ukrainian side provided all necessary data and legal grounds to seize both the vessel and its cargo.

Sybiha stresses that for many years Ukraine has been a reliable guarantor of Egypt’s food security, and therefore does not understand why partners continue to accept stolen Ukrainian grain.

«Ukraine has been and remains a reliable guarantor of food security for Egypt. That is why we cannot understand why the acceptance of stolen grain continues, ” he said.

The minister also recalled that Ukraine endured the Holodomor — a genocide by man-made famine orchestrated by Moscow. Today, as Russia is once again exporting looted Ukrainian grain, it evokes painful historical parallels.

Ukraine therefore called on Egypt and other states to adhere to international law, honor their commitments, and uphold the principles of bilateral relations. Goods stolen from occupied territories must be seized, not accepted.

«Looting is not trade, and enabling such actions only fuels further aggression, ” Sybiha stressed.