Italy on Friday said the fact
that a Russian truck convoy entered Ukraine without permission
is "extremely grave".
"This was a unilateral action" taken before all the trucks
could be inspected as per an agreement between the International
Committee of the Red Cross, Ukraine, and Russia, the Italian
foreign ministry said in a note.
The controversial convoy including about 70 trucks bearing
humanitarian aid crossed the border into Ukraine earlier on
Friday, according to Russian news agency Itar-Tass.
The trucks are part of a larger convoy of about 280
vehicles carrying aid destined for the civilian Russian
population in eastern Ukraine, according to the government in
Moscow.
Russia's ministry of foreign affairs said it was
"unbearable" to wait any longer before moving the aid that
Ukraine officials have rejected, saying they fear weapons and
supplies for pro-Russian rebels are likely hidden within the
convoy.
Critics have complained the convoys are moving without an
escort from the International Committee for the Red Cross, as
required under a deal between Moscow and Ukraine.
The humanitarian emergency in eastern Ukraine, where the
government is battling pro-Russia separatists, must be dealt
with "following the principles of international human rights
law," the Italian foreign ministry said.
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