The convoy entering Ukraine. Yahoo/AP
Russia has sent it's "humanitarian" convoy over the border without Ukraine's permission. Yahoo/AP. Ukraine calls this a "direct invasion". The supplies are intended for the besieged city of Luhansk, where Ukraine has been making gains in the past few days. However, fears are high that the aid convoy is just a cover for a military operation. The International Red Cross wanted to escort the convoy to alleviate those fears but had to back out when neither side could guarantee their safety. Ukraine had agreed to allow a few trucks to cross the border but many more are coming over. Russia accused Ukraine of deliberately stalling and claimed they had to act because if they waited there wouldn't be anyone left to help.
My Comment:
I've said before that this is a win-win scenario for Putin. If anything happens to these trucks, he can use it as an excuse to invade. If they succeed with their mission, the rebels will be able to survive longer. I've said it a million times, the longer the war goes on the better Putin's position will be at the bargaining table. It also has propaganda value. Some of these supplies will go to civilians who do in fact desperately need help.
I do have to say that I am honestly surprised that it took this long. When the story first broke I figured the trucks wouldn't even stop at the border. To say I was surprised that Russia and Ukraine actually tried to talk this out is an understatement. It's disappointing that they couldn't come to some mutually beneficial agreement but at least the lines of communication are still open.
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