Rep. Dan Goldman, a Democratic U.S. Representative from New York’s 10th district, issued a public statement on April 28, 2026, responding to allegations raised by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding shipments of grain reportedly taken from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory. Goldman’s post addressed the situation involving Israel and Russia, and called for Israel’s leadership to halt any involvement in the alleged trade if the claims are verified, framing the issue as one involving support for democratic allies during the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The exchange stemmed from a post by Zelenskyy accusing Russia of “systematically seizing grain on temporarily occupied Ukrainian land” and exporting it through organized channels, including shipments allegedly arriving at Israeli ports. Zelenskyy stated that “in any normal country, purchasing stolen goods is an act that entails legal liability,” and described a specific vessel arriving in Israel as carrying grain that was “stolen.” He argued that such activity “is not – and cannot be – legitimate business,” and warned that Ukraine was preparing sanctions targeting individuals and entities involved in the alleged trade.
In response, Goldman wrote on X: “Zelenskyy is absolutely right. If the allegations are true, Netanyahu must stop buying stolen grain from Russia immediately. As a democratic country and ally, Netanyahu’s government must stand with democracies around the world, especially Ukraine which is defending itself from an illegal attack by dictator Vladimir Putin.” The statement explicitly tied the allegations to broader geopolitical alignments, emphasizing support for Ukraine amid its war with Russia.
Zelenskyy’s original statement also outlined Ukraine’s diplomatic response, including instructions to its Ministry of Foreign Affairs to inform international partners and coordination with European allies on potential sanctions measures. He added that Ukraine expected “partnership and mutual respect with every state,” while urging Israel to ensure that its actions do not undermine bilateral relations. The Ukrainian president also described the situation as part of a wider pattern of Russian-organized grain exports from occupied territories.
Goldman, who previously served as lead counsel in the first impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump and as a federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York, has frequently focused on issues involving democratic governance and international alliances since entering Congress in 2022. His statement on April 28 reflected alignment with Ukraine’s position in the dispute while placing emphasis on adherence to international norms regarding trade in disputed or allegedly illicit goods.