"Ukraine to urge EU to impose sanctions on Bangladeshi companies over imports of wheat allegedly stolen by Russia"

Ukraine to Seek EU Sanctions on Bangladesh Over Alleged Imports of Stolen Grain

Ukraine is preparing to urge the European Union to impose sanctions on Bangladeshi entities allegedly importing wheat stolen from Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia, according to a senior Ukrainian diplomat in South Asia. Kyiv claims its repeated warnings to Dhaka have failed to halt the trade.

Ukraine has long accused Russia of stealing grain from occupied southern regions since 2014. Russian officials deny the allegation, asserting that the territories in question are now part of Russia permanently.

Documents reviewed by Reuters show that the Ukrainian Embassy in New Delhi sent multiple letters to Bangladesh’s foreign ministry this year, urging rejection of over 150,000 tonnes of grain allegedly shipped from the Russian port of Kavkaz. The letters detailed vessel names, registration numbers, and voyage dates, citing ports in occupied Crimea and other Russian-held areas.

Ukraine’s Ambassador to India, Oleksandr Polishchuk, confirmed the diplomatic outreach and Dhaka’s lack of response. He said Ukrainian intelligence has evidence that Russian exporters mix wheat from occupied Ukrainian territories with Russian grain to obscure its origin. “It’s a crime,” he said, adding that Kyiv would now share its findings with the EU and request action.

In a June 11 letter, the Ukrainian Embassy warned that Bangladesh could face "serious consequences," including sanctions not just on importers but also on government officials who “facilitate or tolerate such violations.”

A Bangladeshi food ministry official said the country prohibits imports from Russia if the grain originates from occupied Ukrainian areas, stressing that Bangladesh does not import stolen wheat.

EU spokesperson Anitta Hipper told Reuters that the named vessels are not currently sanctioned, but confirmed that shipping stolen Ukrainian grain could justify future restrictions.

Ukraine’s agriculture sector remains a vital part of its war-time economy. The country has seized several foreign vessels in recent years for allegedly transporting stolen grain. Meanwhile, Russian grain firm Rusagrotrans reported that Bangladesh was the fourth-largest buyer of Russian wheat in May 2025.

A Russian grain trader, speaking anonymously, said it’s nearly impossible to determine the origin of grain after export, noting, “These are not diamonds or gold. You can't identify them by impurities.”