Equipo Nizkor - EU External Action Service: Russia's second aid convoy violates Ukraine's sovereignty.

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15Sep14

EU External Action Service: Russia's second aid convoy violates Ukraine's sovereignty

Russia's second aid convoy for the residents of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic entered and left Ukraine in violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, the EU External Action Service said on Monday.
"Over the weekend, a second Russian humanitarian consignment has entered and left Ukrainian territory, without the consent of or inspection by the Ukrainian authorities," it said.
The EU said "fundamental international humanitarian law principles have not been observed".
"This way of proceeding was therefore illegal, in breach of Ukrainian territorial integrity and sovereignty," it said.
The second aid convoy to the east Ukrainian city of Luhansk returned to Russia on Saturday, September 13.
The number of vehicles that returned to Russia matches the number of vehicles that went to Ukraine, the spokesperson for the Southern Customs Department, Rayan Farukshin, told ITAR-TASS.
"All vehicles that left Russia returned empty. Their number matches the number of trucks that left," he said, adding that the customs and border control procedures had been carried out in full.
On September 13, a convoy of over 200 trucks crossed the border and headed to Luhansk to deliver more than 2,000 tonnes of relief supplies to the residents of the war-torn city, including food, power generators, medicines, and blankets.
After unloading, the trucks returned to Russia's Rostov region in groups of 35 vehicles.
The residents of Luhansk welcomed the aid convoy, lining up the sides of the roads, waving hands and Russian flags, many women crying.
[Source: Itar Tass, Brussels, 15Sep14]

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This document has been published on 16Sep14 by the Equipo Nizkor and Derechos Human Rights. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.