BRUSSELS, August 22 (RIA Novosti) - The European Union on Friday condemned the “unauthorized” entry of a Russian humanitarian aid convoy into Ukraine without a Red Cross escort and called on Moscow to reverse its decision.
“We deplore Russia's decision to enter the humanitarian consignment into Ukrainian territory, without ICRC's escort or the consent of the Ukrainian authorities,” Sebastien Brabant, deputy spokesperson for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, said in a statement.
Earlier in the day, at least 60 trucks from the Russian convoy carrying humanitarian aid to violence-torn Luhansk and Donetsk regions crossed the border with Ukraine allegedly without clearance by Ukrainian customs officials and without escort provided by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
“This is a clear violation of the Ukrainian border. This also goes counter to the previous arrangements reached between Ukraine, Russia and the ICRC. We urge Russia to reverse its decision,” the statement said.
Brabant also noted that, “Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and independence must be respected.”
The criticism came after Russia reportedly ordered the convoy to proceed without waiting for further permission from the Ukrainian government, citing obstacles that Kiev had deliberately thrown in the way of its relief aid mission.
Moscow said Ukrainian authorities had been holding up for days the delivery of humanitarian aid to the trapped civilians in besieged Luhansk to quell the anti-government uprising.
“There is a feeling that the current Ukrainian leaders are consciously dragging on the delivery of humanitarian cargo in order to create a situation so that there is no one to be helped," the Russian Foreign Ministry said earlier.
The convoy is carrying about 2,000 tons of humanitarian aid, including 400 tons of grain, 100 tons of sugar and 54 tons of medication, along with other cargo. The delivery was organized to address humanitarian concerns in the affected Ukrainian regions.
Red Cross official Laurent Corbaz earlier described the situation in Luhansk as “critical,” adding that thousands of people were reported to be without access to water, electricity and medical aid.
