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                     Russia to Send Aid Convoy into Ukraine

   by VOA News

   President Vladimir Putin on Monday told European Commission President
   Jose Manuel Barroso that Russia was coordinating with the International
   Committee of the Red Cross to send humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
   "The Russian side, in collaboration with representatives of the
   International Committee of the Red Cross, is sending a humanitarian
   convoy to Ukraine,'' the Kremlin said in a read-out of a telephone call
   between the two leaders.

   The European Commission confirmed that the phone call took place but
   said that Barroso warned Putin against any military action in Ukraine.
   "President Barroso warned against any unilateral military actions in
   Ukraine, under any pretext, including humanitarian,'' the commission
   said in a statement.
   Barroso spoke separately by phone with Ukrainian President Petro
   Poroshenko, the statement said. In both calls, Barroso expressed the
   EU's concerns about the humanitarian impact of the conflict in eastern
   Ukraine and called for the respect of international humanitarian law.
   NATO chief warns of 'high probability' of incursion
   NATO's secretary general says the alliance has seen no sign of Russian
   forces pulling back from the border with Ukraine and that there is "a
   high probability" Moscow will intervene militarily in the eastern part
   of the country.

   "We see the Russians developing the narrative and the pretext for such
   an operation under the guise of a humanitarian operation and we see a
   military buildup that could be used to conduct such illegal military
   operations in Ukraine," Anders Fogh Rasmussen told the Reuters news
   agency Monday.

   "Any Russian intervention under the guise of a humanitarian mission
   would be unjustified and illegal," Rasmussen said.

   President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov, meanwhile, said
   Monday that Russia will send humanitarian aid into eastern Ukraine, "if
   we can agree all details with all the partners." He said that if such
   an agreement is reached, the aid would be sent "immediately" because of
   the "tragic humanitarian situation" in the region.

   On Saturday, Ukraine claimed it had thwarted an attempt by Russia to
   send troops into Ukraine under a supposed agreement with the Red Cross
   and the guise of peacekeepers, with the aim of provoking a large-scale
   military conflict.  Moscow dismissed the allegation as a "fairy tale."

   Last week, NATO said Russia had amassed around 20,000 combat-ready
   troops on Ukraine's eastern border.

   NATO intervention?
   Asked if NATO would intervene militarily in Ukraine if Russian forces
   did invade, Rasmussen all but ruled out direct involvement but said
   there would be consequences for Moscow.
   "We are not considering military operations. If the Russians were to
   intervene further in Ukraine, I have no doubt that the international
   community would respond determinedly, notably through broader, deeper,
   tougher economic sanctions that would isolate Russia further," he said.

   Rasmussen accused Russia of creating the "disastrous humanitarian
   situation" in eastern Ukraine, and suggested that the best way for
   Moscow to end the crisis would be to "stop the flow of weapons and
   fighters and money into Ukraine and cease the support for armed
   separatists and engage in a constructive political dialogue."

   Russia has repeatedly denied direct involvement in the conflict in
   Ukraine.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/nato-chief-sees-high-probability-russ
   ia-will-intervene-in-east-ukraine/2409701.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/nato-chief-sees-high-probability-russia-will-intervene-in-east-ukraine/2409701.html