Russian aid convoy 'will not be admitted into Ukraine'

[dipsydoodle]

9. To be allowed in under srcutiny of the Red Cross.

Last edited Tue Aug 12, 2014, 06:59 PM - Edit history (1)

ICRC must vet, distribute Russian aid, EU says.

(Reuters) - Russian aid to eastern Ukraine must be vetted and distributed by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to make sure it is not used for political ends, the European Union's humanitarian aid chief said on Tuesday.

A Russian convoy carrying food, water and other aid set off on Tuesday for eastern Ukraine, but Kiev said it would not allow the vehicles to cross onto its territory.

Western governments have warned Moscow against any attempt to turn the operation into a military intervention by stealth.

"What we expect to see is full respect for international humanitarian law and for the principles of neutrality, impartiality, independence of the delivery of humanitarian aid," EU humanitarian aid commissioner Kristalina Georgieva told Reuters in an interview.

The ICRC, an independent aid agency, must assess what the Russian humanitarian aid consisted of and the ICRC must also distribute the aid to ensure it is handed out according to need, rather than the political leanings of the recipients, she said.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/12/us-ukraine-crisis-eu-idUSKBN0GC10R20140812