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Ukraine crisis: Merkel to visit as Russian convoy returns | Ukraine crisis: Merkel to visit as Russian convoy returns |
(about 2 hours later) | |
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is due to arrive in Ukraine, a day after calling Russia's decision to send an unauthorised aid convoy there a "dangerous escalation". | German Chancellor Angela Merkel is due to arrive in Ukraine, a day after calling Russia's decision to send an unauthorised aid convoy there a "dangerous escalation". |
More than 100 Russian lorries entered eastern Ukraine on Friday, without permission from Ukraine's government. | More than 100 Russian lorries entered eastern Ukraine on Friday, without permission from Ukraine's government. |
After travelling to besieged rebel-held areas, some of the lorries have now begun crossing back into Russia. | After travelling to besieged rebel-held areas, some of the lorries have now begun crossing back into Russia. |
Western officials fear the convoy could be part of a military intervention. | Western officials fear the convoy could be part of a military intervention. |
But Kremlin officials say the vehicles are only carrying generators, food and drink. | But Kremlin officials say the vehicles are only carrying generators, food and drink. |
The lorries had already been waiting at the border for a week, while Russia, the Ukrainian government and the Red Cross tried to come to an agreement on their passage. | The lorries had already been waiting at the border for a week, while Russia, the Ukrainian government and the Red Cross tried to come to an agreement on their passage. |
The Russians said they could not wait any longer, owing to the worsening humanitarian situation in eastern Ukraine, which is held by pro-Russian separatists. | The Russians said they could not wait any longer, owing to the worsening humanitarian situation in eastern Ukraine, which is held by pro-Russian separatists. |
Four months of fighting in the region have left more than 2,000 people dead. More than 330,000 people have fled flee their homes. | Four months of fighting in the region have left more than 2,000 people dead. More than 330,000 people have fled flee their homes. |
'Violation of soveignty' | 'Violation of soveignty' |
At least 220 trucks drove into Ukraine on Friday, headed for the rebel-held city of Luhansk, which has been affected by weeks of fighting between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian rebels. | At least 220 trucks drove into Ukraine on Friday, headed for the rebel-held city of Luhansk, which has been affected by weeks of fighting between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian rebels. |
International monitors based in the border region say that some of the vehicles have now crossed back into Russia, a development confirmed by Russian news agencies. | International monitors based in the border region say that some of the vehicles have now crossed back into Russia, a development confirmed by Russian news agencies. |
According to the Associated Press, journalists could see that about 40 of these returning lorries were empty - but it is unclear whether all of them are, and it also unclear what the convoy delivered. | |
The White House and the Ukrainian government both described the deployment of the convoy as a flagrant violation of Ukraine's sovereignty. | The White House and the Ukrainian government both described the deployment of the convoy as a flagrant violation of Ukraine's sovereignty. |
In a phone call, US President Barack Obama and Mrs Merkel said the conflict "has continued to deteriorate" since a Malaysian airliner was downed last month over rebel-held territory, with the loss of all 298 people on board. | In a phone call, US President Barack Obama and Mrs Merkel said the conflict "has continued to deteriorate" since a Malaysian airliner was downed last month over rebel-held territory, with the loss of all 298 people on board. |
Ukraine called the Russian convoy a "direct invasion" of Ukraine. | Ukraine called the Russian convoy a "direct invasion" of Ukraine. |
Nato and the European Union have also criticised what they said was a violation of Ukraine's sovereignty. | Nato and the European Union have also criticised what they said was a violation of Ukraine's sovereignty. |
Nato officials have accused Russia of building up troops on its border, saying significant numbers of Russian forces are operating within Ukraine, using artillery. | Nato officials have accused Russia of building up troops on its border, saying significant numbers of Russian forces are operating within Ukraine, using artillery. |
But speaking to the UN Security Council, Russia's UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin accused Western powers of distorting reality. | But speaking to the UN Security Council, Russia's UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin accused Western powers of distorting reality. |
"Sometimes it reminded me of the kingdom of crooked mirrors because some members of the Council were not concerned about the fact hundreds of civilians are dying." | "Sometimes it reminded me of the kingdom of crooked mirrors because some members of the Council were not concerned about the fact hundreds of civilians are dying." |
He said Russia had to act to save perishable goods and that he hoped the Red Cross would help distribute the aid. | He said Russia had to act to save perishable goods and that he hoped the Red Cross would help distribute the aid. |
"We waited long enough. And it was time to move, and this is what we did," he said. | "We waited long enough. And it was time to move, and this is what we did," he said. |