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                 Ukraine Minister Denounces Russian Aid Convoy

   by VOA News

   Ukraine's interior minister insisted Wednesday that the Russian convoy
   headed to the war-torn eastern region will not be allowed to enter the
   country.

   Arsen Avakov called the convoy a "provocation by the cynical
   aggressor." Russia says the nearly 300 trucks that left Moscow Tuesday
   are carrying hundreds of tons of aid to civilians in Russian-speaking
   eastern Ukraine.

   Ukraine has said the goods will only be allowed entry if they are first
   inspected by the International Red Cross. For its part, the relief
   agency said Tuesday it had no direct contact with Russian authorities
   about the shipments and is awaiting information on the convoy's cargo.

   It remains unclear when the convoy would complete its 750-kilometer
   journey, or what will happen if it is confronted at the border.

   Kyiv authorities said the Russian trucks could transfer their cargo at
   the border to trucks leased by the Red Cross, which has described the
   humanitarian situation in strife-torn eastern Ukraine as dire.

   The relief agency says much of eastern Ukraine, including the hub
   cities of Donetsk and Luhansk, lack medical supplies, water and
   electricity, as pro-Russian separatists continue battling Ukrainian
   troops trying to suppress the four-month rebellion.

   The U.S. State Department Tuesday said it fully backs Ukrainian demands
   for border checks on the Russian cargo, in a push to ensure the cargo
   does not contain weaponry earmarked for rebels. Spokeswoman Marie Harf
   also reiterated that "Russia has no right to move into Ukraine
   unilaterally... without Kyiv's permission."

   Earlier in Kyiv, a Ukraine military spokesman said the convoy of
   covered trucks is under the control of the Russian military, and as a
   result will not be permitted to cross the border. Moscow, however,
   insisted the convoy is being managed by the non-military Emergencies
   Ministry.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/ukraine-minister-denounces-russian-ai
   d-convoy/2411709.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/ukraine-minister-denounces-russian-aid-convoy/2411709.html