Ukrainian PM: "Still in state of war with Russia"

(Vatican Radio) Ukraine's prime minister says his nation is "still in a state of war" with neighbouring Russia despite a cease-fire between Kiev's forces and pro-Russian rebels in the east. Arseniy Yatsenyuk spoke shortly after a second convoy of Russian trucks rolled into eastern Ukraine where government forces have been fighting against pro-Russian separatists. 

Listen to Stefan Bos' report: 

Speaking at a conference with politicians and business leaders in Kiev, Prime Minister Yatsenyuk said Russian President Vladimir Putin's "goal is to take the entire Ukraine."

He told delegates at the Yalta European Strategy meeting that his nation "is still in a state of war with Russia" as Moscow cannot cope with the idea that Ukraine would be part of a big European Union family.

The EU already levelled new sanctions against Russia, blocking loans to five big state banks and curbing EU business with oil and defence companies.

NEW SOVIET UNION?

Prime Minister Yatsenyuk said Russia's Putin wants to restore the Soviet Union. 

"We are not so strong to have bilateral talks and get a bilateral deal with Russia," he added.

"They will outplay us, that’s what they expect and what they want to do. Putin wants a frozen conflict and he wants his hands in our belly fat.”

Yatsenyuk made his remarks while as many as 250 Russian trucks entered eastern Ukraine and headed towards the city of Luhansk, apparently without Kiev's approval. 

HUMANITARIAN AID

Russian officials said they carried 2,000 tons of humanitarian aid to residents who have been without adequate food, clean drinking water or electricity for weeks.

Ukraine's government called a previous Russian convoy "a cover" for supporting rebels. 

Saturday's deliveries came amid reported ceasefire violations by government troops and pro-Russian separatists in some areas.

Moscow denies supporting the rebels in a conflict that has killed more than 3,000 people.