Ukraine is seeking EU sanctions against Bangladesh for allegedly importing over 150,000 tons of grain stolen from territories under Russian occupation, as the international grain theft scandal threatens to escalate into a diplomatic crisis.
Key Takeaways
- Ukraine plans to request EU sanctions against Bangladesh for allegedly importing wheat stolen from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories
- Ukrainian officials claim over 150,000 tonnes of grain were shipped from Russia’s Kavkaz port to Bangladesh, containing grain looted from occupied Ukraine
- Bangladesh has denied the allegations, claiming they ban grain deliveries originating from occupied Ukrainian territories
- Ukraine’s agricultural sector has suffered approximately $80 billion in losses due to the Russian invasion
- Grain theft from occupied Ukrainian territories has been ongoing since 2014, with Russian entities allegedly mixing stolen Ukrainian grain with Russian wheat for export
Ukraine Accuses Bangladesh of Importing Stolen Ukrainian Grain
Ukraine’s diplomatic corps has launched efforts to sanction Bangladesh for allegedly participating in what they describe as an illegal grain trade with Russia. According to Ukrainian officials, Bangladesh has ignored diplomatic attempts to halt the importation of grain suspected to be stolen from Ukrainian territories currently under Russian control. The grain in question, reportedly over 150,000 tonnes, was allegedly shipped from the Russian port of Kavkaz but contains produce looted from Ukraine’s occupied regions, particularly through the port of Mariupol, which fell under Russian control in 2022.
“Ukraine is preparing to request European Union sanctions against Bangladeshi entities over importing wheat stolen from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, Ukraine’s ambassador to India told Reuters,” said Ukraine’s ambassador to India.
The Ukrainian Embassy in New Delhi has already sent formal letters to Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry requesting rejection of the allegedly stolen grain shipments. Ukraine’s investigation has revealed what they believe is a systematic operation where Russian entities mix stolen Ukrainian grain with Russian wheat before exporting it, making the origins difficult to trace once loaded. Ukraine intends to share its findings with European Union officials and request appropriate punitive measures against Bangladeshi entities involved in these transactions.
🚢🌾 Ukraine Presses EU to Sanction Bangladesh Over 'Stolen Grain' Imports
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Kyiv alleges Dhaka imported wheat mixed with grain from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, despite repeated warnings.
Ukraine plans to escalate the issue with… pic.twitter.com/EgyrqQrjLX
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Bangladesh Denies Allegations While Evidence Mounts
Bangladesh has firmly rejected Ukraine’s accusations, maintaining that it adheres to international trade regulations. The Bangladeshi Food Ministry specifically stated that it prohibits grain deliveries originating from occupied Ukrainian territories. However, trade data reveals that Bangladesh ranks as a significant purchaser of Russian wheat, raising questions about the true origins of these imports. Ukrainian officials remain unconvinced by Bangladesh’s denials, citing intelligence reports and shipping records that they claim prove their allegations.
“It’s a crime. We will share our investigation with our European Union colleagues, and we will kindly ask them to take the appropriate measures,” said Oleksandr Polishchuk.
The letter from Ukraine reportedly warned Bangladesh of potential sanctions that could target not only importing companies but also government officials involved in approving these transactions. While the EU, UK, and United States have imposed sanctions on Russian vessels involved in oil and weapons trade, those delivering grain to Bangladesh have not yet been targeted. The European Union has indicated that proven involvement in transporting stolen Ukrainian grain could indeed trigger future sanctions against responsible parties.
Ongoing Pattern of Agricultural Plunder
The current dispute represents just one aspect of a larger pattern of agricultural plunder that Ukraine claims has been ongoing since Russia first occupied Crimea in 2014. According to Ukrainian officials, Russian forces have seized millions of tons of Ukrainian grain throughout the conflict, with significant quantities being systematically looted through occupied ports. This alleged theft has contributed to Ukraine’s agricultural sector suffering approximately $80 billion in losses due to the invasion, including both direct damage and increased operational costs.
“Bangladesh’s Food Ministry, in comments to Reuters, denied the imports, saying that they banned grain deliveries originating from occupied Ukrainian territory,” according to Bangladesh’s Food Ministry.
Despite these devastating losses, Ukraine’s agricultural sector continues to function as a crucial source of export income for the war-torn nation. This makes the alleged theft particularly damaging to Ukraine’s economy while simultaneously funding Russia’s occupation. The difficulty in definitively proving the origin of grain shipments once loaded complicates enforcement efforts, as grain lacks unique identifying features that would allow for precise tracing. This reality creates a significant challenge for Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts to halt what they consider illegal trade in stolen agricultural products.
