Russia Alleges Israeli Firm Denied Grain Over Ukrainian Pressure Claims
Dispute Over Grain Shipment and International Reactions
Background of the Incident
MOSCOW, May 8 (Reuters) - Russia accused Israeli authorities on Friday of caving in to pressure from Ukraine in a dispute over a consignment of grain that was turned away from an Israeli port last month.
Ukraine's Position on the Grain
Ukraine says the grain in question was stolen by Russia from regions of Ukraine that Moscow's forces have seized in the war.
Russia's Response and Statements
In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry rejected what it called "the absurd and unsubstantiated claims made by the Ukrainian side".
It said it deplored the decision by the Israeli importing company not to allow the grain to be unloaded at the port of Haifa.
Allegations of External Pressure
"Moscow regretted this step, clearly taken under pressure from Kyiv," the statement said.
Implications for Russian-Israeli Relations
"This runs counter to the Israeli authorities' declared commitment to maintaining Russian-Israeli economic cooperation and threatens Israel's own food security."
Ukrainian Reaction to the Incident
Ukraine said at the time that the fact the cargo had been turned away was a welcome development that showed the effectiveness of its legal and diplomatic actions.
Reporting and Editorial Credits
(Reporting by Olga Popova; Writing by Mark Trevelyan and Anastasia Teterevleva; editing by Guy Faulconbridge)
