The latest humanitarian convoy of the Russian Emergency Situations Minister for Donbas cannot be called legal, because it crossed into Ukraine in violation of international norms and Ukrainian legislation, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.
The fact was stated to Ukraine shortly before the arrival of the convoy and it was impossible to organize its clearance by customs and border authorities, ministry spokesman Yevhen Perebyinis said in a commentary posted on Feb. 20.
“Therefore, the movement of this cargo was not legal, which casts doubt on its humanitarian nature,” the commentary said.
Ukraine is open to humanitarian aid supplied by foreign states and international organizations in a legal fashion, Perebyinis said. At the same time, any humanitarian aid should be delivered exclusively in coordination with the Ukrainian government and consistent with national laws, universal practices and delivery modalities approved by international organizations, he said.
The Russian Emergency Situations Ministry reported it was the 14th humanitarian convoy sent to Donbas. More than 170 humanitarian trucks crossed into Ukraine on Feb. 15.
