Ukraine Asks EU to Sanction Bangladesh For Importing Grain Taken From Russian-Occupied Territories

Kyiv asserts Russian companies are mixing wheat from the occupied territories with Russian grain to conceal its origin.

Ukraine is preparing to appeal to the European Union to sanction Bangladeshi companies that import grain from Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia.

This was reported by the CFTS portal, citing the publication RBK-Ukraine.

The Ukrainian embassy in New Delhi has sent to the Bangladeshi Foreign Ministry at least four letters containing the names and registration numbers of vessels that transported over 150,000 tons of grain from the Russian port of Kavkaz.

Kyiv asserts Russian companies are mixing Russian grain with wheat from occupied Ukrainian territories to conceal its origin.

“This is a crime. We will share the findings of our investigation with our counterparts in the European Union and kindly ask them to take appropriate measures,” said Ukraine’s Ambassador to India Oleksandr Polischuk.

Ukrainian diplomats have warned Bangladesh of possible consequences, including sanctions against importing companies and officials who knowingly facilitate the trade of stolen grain.

The European Union has not yet imposed sanctions on the vessels in question. However, according to EU spokesperson Anitta Hipper, proven involvement in the transportation of stolen Ukrainian grain could result in the imposition of sanctions.

Ukraine has previously detained foreign vessels suspected of transporting such grain, and believes that Russian shipments undermine the country’s food security and financial stability during wartime.