Ukraine accuses Bangladesh of ‘theft’, to appeal European Union for…
Ukraine on Saturday approached the European Union and requested it to impose sanctions on Bangladeshi organisations that are importing wheat from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories. Kyiv stated that issuing warnings to Bangladesh has had no effect on these organisations. Hence, the war-torn country has no option but to approach the European Union. Notably, the Russian Army has captured a large part of the southern regions of Ukraine since 2014. Farmers there produce wheat that is now exported by Moscow. Most of the wheat is bought by Bangladesh. Now, Ukraine has accused Russia of wheat theft. A Russian official responded to the allegations and said that there has been no theft of grain because the areas are now part of Russia and will remain part of the country forever.
Ukraine Sent Several Letters To Bangladesh
As per reports, the Ukraine embassy which is located in Delhi, sent letters requesting Dhaka to reject more than 150,000 tonnes of grain allegedly stolen and shipped from the Russian port of Kavkaz.
Ukraine’s ambassador to India stated that Kyiv has yet to receive a response from Dhaka regarding a confidential diplomatic communication concerning grain shipments. Ukraine’s intelligence suggests that Russian entities are blending grain from occupied Ukrainian territories with Russian wheat before export, prompting Ukraine to further investigate the matter.
Ukrainian Ambassador to India, Oleksandr Polishchuk, stated that Dhaka has not responded to a confidential diplomatic communication regarding grain shipments. Ukraine will now further investigate, as its intelligence indicates that Russian entities are blending grain from occupied Ukrainian territories with Russian wheat before export.
Ukrainian Ambassador Termed It A Crime
“This is a crime,” Polishchuk said in an interview at the Ukrainian embassy in New Delhi. “We will share our investigation with our EU colleagues, and we will request them to take appropriate measures,” he said.
Bangladesh Food Ministry Issued Statement
A Bangladeshi food ministry official stated that Bangladesh would have prohibited Russian grain imports had they originated from occupied Ukrainian land. he said that the country does not import stolen wheat. It is to be noted that, amid the ongoing war with Russia, the agriculture sector remains one of the main sources of income for Ukraine, which supplies grain, vegetable oil and oilseeds to foreign markets.
In April this year, Ukraine detained a foreign ship and alleged that the vessel was involved in illegal trade.
EU Imposes Sanctions On 32 Ships
The European Union has sanctioned 342 vessels involved in Russia’s “shadow fleet,” alleging these ships help Russia evade Western sanctions on oil, weapons, and grain exports. Russia maintains that these sanctions are unlawful.
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