The European Union has contacted Israel regarding a Russian vessel carrying what Ukraine claims to be stolen grain, which was permitted to dock at the Israeli port of Haifa, an EU foreign affairs spokesperson said on Tuesday, Reuters reports.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that the Israeli ambassador had been summoned over what he described as Israel’s inaction in allowing grain shipments from Ukraine into the country.

"We condemn all actions that help finance Russia's illegal military operations and circumvent EU sanctions, and we remain ready to counter such actions by listing individuals and entities in third countries if necessary," EU spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said in response to a request for comment. "We have contacted the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding this matter."

Kyiv maintains that all grain produced in the four regions that Russia declared as its own after the start of the war in Ukraine belongs to Ukraine. Previously, Ukraine has also protested the export of such grain to other countries.