Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry has sent a protest note to the Russian Foreign Ministry demanding that the Russian Federation stop committing illegal actions against the sovereignty of the Ukrainian state and adhere to international law steadily in connection with sending a new “humanitarian” convoy to the occupied areas of Donbas, eastern Ukraine.
“On Oct. 25, 2018, the Russian side carried out the illegal transfer of two vehicle convoys to the territory of Ukraine through the Izvaryne and Uspenka border checkpoints [Luhansk region], which were closed by our state. The pretext was to supply so-called humanitarian cargo to residents in Ukrainian territory in Donetsk and Luhansk regions that is temporarily occupied by Russia,” the ministry said in a statement on Oct. 26.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stressed that the Russian cargo was relocated in violation of the norms and principles of international law, bilateral agreements, legislation of Ukraine and previously agreed modalities for the delivery of humanitarian goods, including the requirements that the cargo should be accompanied by representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross and undergo border and customs clearance by the Ukrainian authorities.
