MOSCOW, August 21 (RIA Novosti) — The Russian Foreign Ministry on Thursday called on all parties concerned to prevent any disruptions in the delivery of Russian humanitarian cargo to eastern Ukraine.
“The most important task for now is to ensure that the convoy reaches its destination point without any disruptions,” the ministry said in a statement. “The Russian side reiterates its firm security guarantees. Similar guarantees have also been provided by the Ukrainian authorities and the militia.”
The ministry also warned of “possible provocations aimed at disrupting the delivery of aid.”
Ukraine’s National Security Council spokesman Andriy Lysenko said earlier today that Kiev had no information on when the Russian humanitarian aid convoy can enter the country.
On Thursday afternoon, Ukrainian customs officials confirmed that they had started inspecting the first trucks carrying Russian humanitarian aid to eastern Ukraine.
Earlier in August, in light of the worsening humanitarian situation in Ukraine, Russia suggested sending an international humanitarian mission to eastern Ukraine under the auspices of the ICRC.
The convoy comprises 280 trucks carrying about 2,000 tons of humanitarian aid, including baby food, medicine, grain, sugar, sleeping bags and other necessities. It set off from the Moscow Region on August 12 heading toward Ukraine’s conflict areas.
However, the convoy has been stuck on Russia’s border with Ukraine and Kiev had been sending conflicting reports on whether the cargo would be allowed to proceed into eastern Ukraine. After lengthy negotiations Kiev finally recognized the cargo as humanitarian aid.
