Go Russia! Plans to send second aid convoy to east Ukraine announced

TBO The Tampa Tribune
Mon, 25 Aug 2014 11:08 UTC

© RIA Novosti / Alexey Nikolsky

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

Russia has announced plans to send a second aid convoy to rebel-held eastern Ukraine, where months of fighting have left many residential buildings in ruins.

Russia unilaterally sent about 200 tractor-trailers across the border on Friday, a move that Ukraine characterized as an invasion. By Saturday, all of the vehicles had returned to Russia after delivering the goods to the hard-hit rebel stronghold of Luhansk.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Monday that Russia had notified the Ukrainian government that it was preparing to send a second convoy along the same route in the coming days.

Lavrov also said distribution in Luhansk of the food, water and other goods delivered by the first convoy began Monday with the participation of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Source: AP

Comment: Russia has established the precedent of one humanitarian mission that was beyond reproach: no violence, only aid, delivered promptly, in and out in a day. The OSCE and ICRC were satisfied, even if the loonies in the Western governments and media were not. But to hell with them. Getting aid to the conflict zone is more important, and Russia ain't wasting time!