Russian aid convoy at a standstill near Ukrainian border

(Vatican Radio) A fleet of trucks in a Russian aid convoy is waiting near the Ukrainian border as procedures drag on for allowing them into the east of the country to help civilians suffering amid fighting between Ukrainian forces and separatists.

Ukrainian officials are concerned that the mission including around 200 trucks could be a guise for Russia to send in equipment for the rebels, whom Kiev and Western countries claim are backed by Moscow.

Listen Lydia O’Kane’s interview with International Committee of the Red Cross spokesperson Nada Noumani on the situation in Ukraine

Russia and Ukraine reached an agreement under which the trucks could enter with Red Cross accompaniment if Ukrainian border guards and customs agents approve the cargo.

Speaking to Vatican Radio Red Cross about the convoy, Red Cross spokesperson Nada Noumani said “honestly we are still waiting for the Ukrainian and the Russian authorities to come to an agreement and to finalise practical details concerning inspection, clearance procedures for the Russian convoy and the strictly humanitarian nature of this convoy…”

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is deploying additional staff to Russia and Ukraine and scaling up logistics arrangements in readiness for the delivery of aid to conflict-hit eastern Ukraine.

Asked about the condition of people struggling to cope in Eastern Ukraine, Ms Noumani spoke of the ICRC’s concern for those in need of assistance and protection as a result of the conflict. … “they have a problem with accessing the basics”, she said. These necessities include food and water but also services like electricity which has been damaged as a result of the fighting.