A Russian humanitarian convoy is stuck amid doubts from Ukraine that its neighboring country is actually bringing in food and other supplies. The convoy of 280 Russian trucks is allegedly carrying relief goods for civilians, but Ukraine claims it is actually trying to smuggle supplies to pro-Russian rebels.
Ukraine’s deputy foreign minister Danylo Lubkivsky is one of the suspicious parties. He told CNN Tuesday , “Russia keeps inventing new excuses for their policy. In Georgia, it was defending pro-Russian minorities. In Ukraine’s Crimea, preventing NATO invasion.”
The trucks were supposed to arrive at a checkpoint in Kharkiv Wednesday, but they bypassed that route. It isn’t clear what route the convoy will take instead. The New York Times reports that some rumors suggested the convoy will travel south to an area close to Luhansk, where Russia and separatist fighters have more control.
If that is the case, the trucks could enter Ukraine against the government’s will and without the contents being examined by the International Committee of the Red Cross. Previously, Russia pledged to have the Red Cross oversee the aid delivery.
Russia has said it expects the trucks to be allowed across the border, while Ukraine has vowed the trucks will be barred from entering. As the standoff came closer, the European Union’s foreign ministers schedule an emergency meeting for Friday.
Russia asserted Wednesday that the convoy is still working under the umbrella of the Red Cross, despite statements from the organization that said the opposite. Dmitri Peskov, spokesman for President Vladimir Putin, told Russian reporters, “It is moving in the territory of the Russian Federation; it is still moving. All this is going on in complete coordination with… the Red Cross.”
The dispute over the Russian aid convoy comes as Kiev is working its way toward dominance over separatist rebels, forcing many of them to retreat into Crimea’s two major cities, Donetsk and Luhansk. Separatists control both cities for now.
Red Cross spokesman Andrew Loersch told CNN that the agency has no agreement with Russia on the aid convoy. Red Cross European operations chief Laurent Corbaz added Tuesday that the agency hasn’t received much clarity from Russia on its supposed role in the operation.
He explained that the Red Cross would be on board, but only if there is clarification involving how the aid will be transferred and the security guarantees for Red Cross workers. Corbaz added that the Red Cross isn’t even sure what’s in the shipment.
According to a Russian news agency, the humanitarian aid convoy contains grain, sugar, baby food, medical supplies, sleeping bags, and “electrical power units.”
[Image: Newsweek ]