This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28924945
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Ukraine crisis: Russia 'to send new aid convoy' | Ukraine crisis: Russia 'to send new aid convoy' |
(35 minutes later) | |
Russia plans to send another humanitarian convoy into eastern Ukraine "in the next few days", Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said. | Russia plans to send another humanitarian convoy into eastern Ukraine "in the next few days", Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said. |
Mr Lavrov said the humanitarian situation there was "deteriorating". | Mr Lavrov said the humanitarian situation there was "deteriorating". |
Ukraine did not authorise the first convoy, which returned to Russia at the weekend, fearing it carried military equipment for pro-Russia separatists. | Ukraine did not authorise the first convoy, which returned to Russia at the weekend, fearing it carried military equipment for pro-Russia separatists. |
Ukrainian officials said a column of armoured vehicles crossed from Russia on Monday, sparking heavy clashes. | |
The crossing was reported close to the south-eastern Ukrainian city of Mariupol. | |
"The Ukrainian border has been breached by a convoy of several dozen tanks and armoured vehicles," security spokesman Leonid Matyukhin told Agence France-Presse. | "The Ukrainian border has been breached by a convoy of several dozen tanks and armoured vehicles," security spokesman Leonid Matyukhin told Agence France-Presse. |
"The convoy has been stopped by border guards... The battle is ongoing." | "The convoy has been stopped by border guards... The battle is ongoing." |
More than 2,000 people have died in recent months in fighting between Ukrainian government forces and the separatists. Some 330,00 people have been displaced. | More than 2,000 people have died in recent months in fighting between Ukrainian government forces and the separatists. Some 330,00 people have been displaced. |
The Russian and Ukrainian presidents are scheduled to meet in Minsk, Belarus, on Tuesday for talks on the crisis. | The Russian and Ukrainian presidents are scheduled to meet in Minsk, Belarus, on Tuesday for talks on the crisis. |
'Armoured column' | 'Armoured column' |
Mr Lavrov said he had sent a note to the Ukrainian foreign ministry on Sunday informing it of the new convoy. | Mr Lavrov said he had sent a note to the Ukrainian foreign ministry on Sunday informing it of the new convoy. |
He told a news conference on Monday: "The humanitarian situation is not improving but deteriorating. | He told a news conference on Monday: "The humanitarian situation is not improving but deteriorating. |
"We want to reach an agreement on all conditions for delivering a second convoy by the same route... in the coming days." | "We want to reach an agreement on all conditions for delivering a second convoy by the same route... in the coming days." |
Russia said the first convoy had delivered generators, food and drink. | |
Ukrainian sources said a column of about 30 armoured vehicles had entered from Russia close to the port city of Mariupol on Monday, bearing symbols of the self-styled Donetsk People's Republic. | |
Mariupol is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces, who ousted rebels in May. | |
When asked about a possible Russian incursion, Mr Lavrov said that "there is enough disinformation". | When asked about a possible Russian incursion, Mr Lavrov said that "there is enough disinformation". |
Ukraine and Western powers have accused Russia of arming the rebels, charges Moscow has denied. | Ukraine and Western powers have accused Russia of arming the rebels, charges Moscow has denied. |
There have been several previous reports of armoured vehicles crossing the border. | |
Asked about Tuesday's presidential meeting, Mr Lavrov said: "We are ready... for any format as long as there is a result," adding that Russia wanted "to help Ukrainians agree among themselves". | Asked about Tuesday's presidential meeting, Mr Lavrov said: "We are ready... for any format as long as there is a result," adding that Russia wanted "to help Ukrainians agree among themselves". |
Mr Lavrov also commented on the parading of captured Ukrainian government soldiers by rebels through the centre of Donetsk on Sunday. | Mr Lavrov also commented on the parading of captured Ukrainian government soldiers by rebels through the centre of Donetsk on Sunday. |
Crowds lined the streets chanting "fascists" as the dishevelled-looking prisoners walked by. | Crowds lined the streets chanting "fascists" as the dishevelled-looking prisoners walked by. |
Mr Lavrov said this was "nowhere near mistreatment" and that Ukrainian fighters' actions often amounted to "war crimes". | Mr Lavrov said this was "nowhere near mistreatment" and that Ukrainian fighters' actions often amounted to "war crimes". |
"I saw images of that parade and I didn't see anything close to what could be considered as humiliating," he said. | |
The violence in east Ukraine erupted in April when pro-Russian separatists in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions declared independence from Kiev. This followed Russia's annexation of the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in March. |