You're reading: Ukrainian foreign ministry sees Russian aid entry as breach of international law

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has said that the crossing into Ukraine by the Russian humanitarian convoy is a breach by Russia of the key principles of international law concerning border integrity and non-intervention.

“The fact that the Russian vehicles moved into Ukraine without appropriate border and customs clearance and that the cargo was not duly handed over to representatives from the International Committee of the Red Cross is a testament to the deliberate and aggressive nature of Russia’s actions,” the ministry said in a statement released in Kyiv on Friday.

The entire responsibility for the passage of its humanitarian aid lies with Russia, it stressed.

Ukraine has taken whatever steps necessary to ensure the safety of the humanitarian aid, and to avoid any provocation, Ukraine issued all necessary directions to ensure safe passage for the convoy, the statement said.

“However, despite all Ukrainian attempts, no contact has yet been established between the Army General Staffs of Ukraine and Russia, which is critical for ensuring the safe passage of the convoy,” the statement said.

The militants are firing mortars in the areas that the convoy could be going through, it also said.

Ukraine is not aware of the content of Russia’s arrangements with Luhansk militants, nor does it rule out the possibility of “planned provocations,” the foreign ministry said.

On Friday morning, Ukrainian border guards and customs officers were blocked by Russian forces and barred from inspecting the other vehicles in the convoy despite earlier agreements reached with Russia, the ministry said. “We are worried about the safety of our staff,” the ministry said.

Also, at this moment neither Ukraine, nor the Red Cross are aware of what is inside those trucks, prompting fears over their contents, the foreign ministry said.

“We see this act as another flagrant breach by Russia of the key principles of the international law regarding border integrity and non-intervention and the conscientious performance of international obligations. We are urging all our international partners to join the resolute condemnation of Russia’s illegal and aggressive actions,” the statement said.