Ukraine escalates pressure on Bangladesh with threats of EU sanctions for allegedly financing Russia’s war efforts through the purchase of stolen Ukrainian grain, despite Bangladesh’s firm denials.
Key Takeaways
- Ukraine plans to request EU sanctions against Bangladeshi entities for importing over 150,000 tonnes of wheat allegedly stolen from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories
- Ukrainian officials claim Russian entities are mixing stolen Ukrainian grain with Russian wheat before exporting it through the port of Kavkaz
- Bangladesh’s Food Ministry has categorically denied importing grain from occupied Ukrainian territories
- Ukraine’s agricultural sector has reportedly suffered $80 billion in losses due to Russia’s invasion
- Experts note that grain lacks unique identifying features, making origin verification exceptionally difficult once loaded
Ukraine Accuses Bangladesh of Purchasing Looted Grain
Ukraine is preparing to ask the European Union to impose sanctions on Bangladesh for allegedly importing wheat stolen from territories under Russian occupation. This dramatic escalation comes after Ukrainian diplomatic attempts to address the issue directly with Bangladesh reportedly went unanswered. Ukrainian officials claim over 150,000 tonnes of wheat, shipped from Russia’s Kavkaz port, contains grain unlawfully seized from Ukrainian territories occupied by Russian forces, effectively financing Russia’s continued military operations in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Embassy in New Delhi sent formal letters to Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry requesting they reject shipments of allegedly stolen grain, but claims these diplomatic overtures were ignored. “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, Ukraine’s ambassador to India.
🚢🌾 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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Russia’s Systematic Grain Theft Operation
According to Ukrainian intelligence, Russian forces have seized millions of tons of Ukrainian grain since the initial occupation of Crimea in 2014, with the theft operation dramatically expanding after the full-scale invasion in 2022. The port of Mariupol has reportedly become a significant hub for the looting operation. Ukrainian officials allege that Russian entities routinely mix stolen Ukrainian grain with Russian wheat to obscure its origins before exporting it to international buyers like Bangladesh.
“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.”
Ukrainian authorities have reported that their agricultural sector has suffered approximately $80 billion in losses due to Russia’s invasion. This staggering figure includes direct damage to infrastructure and increased costs related to shipping difficulties. Despite these challenges, agriculture remains a critical source of export income for Ukraine’s war-strained economy, making the alleged theft of grain particularly damaging to the country’s economic stability and war-financing capabilities.
Bangladesh Denies Allegations as Verification Issues Emerge
Bangladesh’s Food Ministry has categorically denied importing any grain originating from occupied Ukrainian territories. “Bangladesh’s Food Ministry, in comments to Reuters, denied the imports, saying that they banned grain deliveries originating from occupied Ukrainian territory,” reported the Bangladesh Food Ministry.
Trade data confirms that Bangladesh is indeed a major buyer of Russian wheat, though it remains unclear whether any of this wheat contains grain from occupied Ukrainian territories. The complications of verification are substantial, as grain lacks unique identifying features once loaded onto ships. A Russian grain trader noted to investigators that once grain is loaded, it becomes virtually impossible to determine its exact origin, creating significant challenges for both investigators and potential sanctioning authorities.
While the EU, UK, and US have already sanctioned Russian vessels involved in oil and weapons trade, they have not yet targeted ships delivering grain to Bangladesh. However, the EU has indicated that proven involvement in transporting stolen Ukrainian grain could lead to future sanctions. This position leaves Bangladesh in a precarious diplomatic situation as Ukraine presses for punitive measures against both Bangladeshi companies and government officials allegedly involved in the disputed grain imports.
