Ukraine plans to ask the European Union to impose sanctions on Bangladesh for importing grain allegedly stolen from Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia, as the agricultural theft reaches over 150,000 tonnes.
Key Takeaways
- Ukraine is preparing to request EU sanctions against Bangladeshi entities for importing wheat allegedly stolen from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories
- Over 150,000 tonnes of grain were reportedly shipped from Russia’s Kavkaz port to Bangladesh, potentially including wheat from occupied Ukrainian regions
- Ukraine’s diplomatic appeals to Bangladesh to halt the trade have gone unanswered, according to Ukrainian officials
- Russian forces have allegedly seized millions of tons of Ukrainian grain since the occupation began in 2014, with significant amounts looted through Mariupol
- Ukraine’s agricultural sector has suffered approximately $80 billion in losses due to the Russian invasion
Ukraine Alleges Theft of Agricultural Resources
In a significant escalation of its efforts to combat Russian theft of agricultural resources, Ukraine is now preparing formal requests for European Union sanctions against Bangladesh over its alleged importation of stolen grain. Ukrainian officials claim that Bangladesh has received more than 150,000 tonnes of grain shipped from Russia’s Kavkaz port, which they believe includes wheat illegally taken from Ukrainian territories under Russian occupation. This development represents the latest chapter in what Ukraine describes as the systematic looting of its agricultural wealth since Russia’s initial occupation of Ukrainian territories in 2014.
“Ukraine is preparing to request European Union sanctions against Bangladeshi entities over importing wheat stolen from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories,” said Ukraine’s ambassador to India.
Ambassador Oleksandr Polishchuk has stated that Ukrainian diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue directly with Bangladesh have proven fruitless. The Ukrainian Embassy in New Delhi reportedly sent multiple diplomatic communications to Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry requesting rejection of the allegedly stolen grain shipments, but these appeals have gone unanswered. This diplomatic impasse has led Ukraine to pursue more stringent measures through EU channels, potentially impacting Bangladesh’s trade relationships with European nations.
Systematic Grain Theft and International Trade
Ukrainian intelligence reports suggest that Russian entities are engaging in sophisticated schemes to mask the origin of stolen Ukrainian grain by mixing it with Russian wheat before export. This practice makes tracing the true origin of such shipments extremely difficult, complicating international enforcement efforts. The grain theft operation allegedly began following Russia’s initial occupation of Ukrainian territories in 2014 and has expanded dramatically since the 2022 invasion, with significant quantities reportedly looted through the port of Mariupol after its capture by Russian forces.
“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.
According to Ukrainian officials, the proceeds from these grain sales may be funding Russian occupational forces in Ukrainian territories. A warning letter from Ukraine to Bangladesh specifically mentioned potential sanctions that could target not only importing companies but also government officials involved in facilitating these transactions. The situation highlights the complex intersection of agricultural trade, international sanctions, and wartime resource appropriation that has characterized the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
🚢🌾 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
— PiQ (@PiQSuite) June 27, 2025
Bangladesh’s Denial and Verification Challenges
Bangladesh’s Food Ministry has categorically denied importing grain from occupied Ukrainian territories. In statements to international media, Bangladeshi officials have insisted that they maintain a ban on grain deliveries originating from occupied Ukrainian territory. However, Ukraine claims to have evidence of continuing shipments and argues that Bangladesh has not responded appropriately to diplomatic communications about the issue. The disputed grain shipments represent a significant economic and political challenge for Bangladesh, which is a major buyer of Russian wheat according to international trade data.
“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.
Trade experts note the inherent difficulty in verifying the origin of grain shipments once loaded onto vessels, as grain lacks unique identifying characteristics. A Russian grain trader interviewed by international media pointed out that once grain is loaded at ports like Kavkaz, determining its original source becomes virtually impossible. The EU has indicated that proven involvement in transporting stolen Ukrainian grain could lead to future sanctions, but establishing such proof remains challenging. Ukraine’s agricultural sector continues to suffer significant war-related losses while remaining a critical source of export income for the country’s war effort.
