Kyiv / Brussels, June 28, 2025 – Ukraine has formally requested that the European Union impose sanctions on Bangladeshi companies—and potentially government officials—accused of importing around 150,000 tonnes of grain allegedly stolen from Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia, according to Reuters ().🇺🇦 Ukraine’s Allegations • Diplomatic warnings ignored: Kyiv’s embassy in New Delhi reportedly sent four letters this year to Bangladesh’s foreign affairs ministry, pointing to the vessels—loaded at Russia’s Kavkaz port—that carried wheat reportedly looted from occupied regions of Crimea, Kherson, Zaporizhia, and Berdiansk . • Russia’s tactic: Ukrainian intelligence claims Russian exporters blend grain from occupation zones with regular Russian harvests, obscuring its origin . • Crime and accountability: Ukraine’s ambassador to India, Oleksandr Polishchuk, described the transaction as a “crime,” emphasizing Kyiv will press EU partners to take “appropriate measures” including sanctions .🇪🇺 EU’s Position • Existing sanctions: The EU has already sanctioned 342 vessels tied to the so-called “shadow fleet” used to bypass restrictions, but none are yet directly linked to the Bangladeshi trade . • Possibility of expansion: EU spokesperson Anitta Hipper stated that confirmed involvement in trafficking stolen Ukrainian grain could justify additional sanctions .🇧🇩 Bangladesh’s Response • Strong denial: A Bangladeshi food ministry official told Reuters that Dhaka bans imports if grain originates from occupied Ukrainian territories and maintains that it imports “no stolen wheat” . • Silence from Dhaka: Despite multiple letters, the Bangladeshi foreign ministry has not formally replied to Ukraine’s diplomatic outreach .⸻🌍 Broader Implications • Protecting Ukraine’s agricultural sector: Grain exports remain a vital revenue source for Ukraine amid the ongoing war with Russia . • Diplomatic escalation: Ukraine is expanding its defense beyond military fronts, targeting economic channels in Brussels over global trade of contested goods. • Legal and ethical stakes: If material proof emerges showing complicity or negligence by Bangladeshi firms or officials, the EU could impose significant restrictions, ranging from asset freezes to trade bans.⸻In summary: Ukraine is escalating its campaign to safeguard its agri‑sector, urging the EU to sanction Bangladeshi entities for buying wheat allegedly stolen from occupied Ukrainian territories. With diplomatic pressure mounting and EU mechanisms primed for action, Dhaka may face fresh scrutiny unless it can substantiate its denials.⸻
