DENIED

Ukraine Blocks Russian Aid Convoy

Motives doubted.

A Ukrainian security spokesman said Tuesday that a Russian convoy bringing humanitarian aid wouldn’t be allowed to cross the border into Ukraine. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius warned Tuesday that the 280 Russian trucks meant to provide aid could actually be a guise for Putin’s long-term military goals. “We must be extremely careful because this could be a cover for the Russians to install themselves near Lugansk and Donetsk,” he told France Info radio. “This [convoy] is only possible, only justifiable, if the Red Cross authorizes it.” Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, had said “it has all been agreed with Ukraine.” However, a government source in Kiev told Reuters, “There is no agreement from the Ukrainian side for Russian vehicles to enter Ukrainian territory.