KIEV, August 12 (RIA Novosti) – The Russian humanitarian convoy to war-torn eastern Ukrainian regions is not certified by the International Committee of the Red Cross, the speaker of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council told reporters Tuesday.
When asked at a briefing whether the Russian cargo will be allowed to cross the border, Andriy Lysenko gave no direct answer, saying, “This convoy is not certified by the International Committee of the Red Cross.”
The arrival of the 280-truck convoy with 2,000 tons of Russian humanitarian aid at the Ukrainian border is expected on Wednesday, August 13, a source told RIA Novosti on Tuesday. The aid includes 62 tons of baby food, 54 tons of medication and 12,000 sleeping bags, among other things.
Russia initially proposed sending an international humanitarian mission to the region last Tuesday at the UN Security Council.
On Monday, Russia and Ukraine said in a statement they had agreed to a Red Cross-led humanitarian mission to the war-torn Ukrainian region of Luhansk, where food and energy supplies are running short.
The ICRC showed support for Russia’s proposal and said it was awaiting all necessary details from Moscow on its humanitarian assistance for eastern Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called on the West not to impede the delivery of urgent humanitarian aid to eastern Ukrainian regions.
