Statement of MFA of Ukraine on the attempts of RF to deliver humanitarian aid

In connection with the aspirations of the Russian Federation to send humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, a position of Ukraine regarding envisaged by Ukrainian legislation and international law relevant dimensions was brought to the attention of the Russian Federation.

To avoid provocations a number of technical arrangements has been achieved, those that allow to put the actions of the Russian side into the frames determined and controlled by Ukraine and the international institutions, in particular the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the OSCE.

Notably, border and customs control as well as proper registration of the humanitarian assistance pursuant to Ukraine’s legislation shall be conducted by the authorized bodies of Ukraine under support and monitoring of the ICRS and the OSCE.

The parties achieved understanding that all humanitarian goods, including the Russian humanitarian aid, will be delivered to the destinations that are controlled by the terrorists, only by the ICRC. The Committee will provide all logistical aspects joined with the storage and distribution of aid.

Ukraine considers that a key role in coordinating the security aspects, as well as specific routes of humanitarian aid along the territory being controlled by illegal armed groups, including that provided by the Government of Ukraine, will play a Tripartite liaison group.

The Russian Federation shall bear the sole responsibility for the actions of terrorists, who assumed control over the situation in certain areas of Luhansk region, to prevent any provocations against the initiated by the President of Ukraine International Humanitarian mission to provide the civilians of Luhansk region with all necessary things, and also against the ICRC staff during the mission.