NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen sharply criticised the Russian decision to advance a "so-called" aid convoy into Ukraine on Friday as a "blatant breach" of international commitments that "only deepens the crisis".
"This is a blatant breach of Russia's international commitments... and a further violation of Ukraine's sovereignty by Russia," Rasmussen said in a statement.
"It can only deepen the crisis in the region, which Russia itself has created and has continued to fuel," he said.
Rasmussen poured doubt on Moscow's claim that the convoy, which had been waiting at the border for a week, was actually meant for humanitarian purposes.
"The disregard of international humanitarian principles raises further questions about whether the true purpose of the aid convoy is to support civilians or to resupply armed separatists," he said.
In a separate statement, NATO's top commander General Philip Breedlove condemned Russia's "illegal incursion" into Ukraine.
"Legitimate humanitarian aid should not be forcibly smuggled across international borders without consent and without the involvement of international aid agencies," General Breedlove said.
"The humanitarian situation in eastern Ukraine must be addressed, but not in a spurious manner that risks further inflaming the conflict," Breedlove said.
The "forced crossing without authorisation... indicates that Russia is more interested in resupplying separatists rather than supporting local populations," he added.
Ever since Russia annexed Crimea in March, NATO has taken a leading role in Western accusations that Moscow was actively involved in destabilising eastern Ukraine.
The transatlantic military alliance accuses Moscow of actively providing weapons and fighters to pro-Kremlin separatists as well as massing about 20,000 of its own troops near the border.
The latest developments "are even more worrying as they coincide with a major escalation in Russian military involvement in eastern Ukraine since mid-August, including the use of Russian forces," Rasmussen said.
"Instead of de-escalating the situation, Russia continues to escalate it, despite the efforts of the international community to find a political solution to the crisis," he said.
NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen sharply criticised the Russian decision to advance a “so-called” aid convoy into Ukraine on Friday as a “blatant breach” of international commitments that “only deepens the crisis”.
“This is a blatant breach of Russia’s international commitments… and a further violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty by Russia,” Rasmussen said in a statement.
“It can only deepen the crisis in the region, which Russia itself has created and has continued to fuel,” he said.
Rasmussen poured doubt on Moscow’s claim that the convoy, which had been waiting at the border for a week, was actually meant for humanitarian purposes.
“The disregard of international humanitarian principles raises further questions about whether the true purpose of the aid convoy is to support civilians or to resupply armed separatists,” he said.
In a separate statement, NATO’s top commander General Philip Breedlove condemned Russia’s “illegal incursion” into Ukraine.
“Legitimate humanitarian aid should not be forcibly smuggled across international borders without consent and without the involvement of international aid agencies,” General Breedlove said.
“The humanitarian situation in eastern Ukraine must be addressed, but not in a spurious manner that risks further inflaming the conflict,” Breedlove said.
The “forced crossing without authorisation… indicates that Russia is more interested in resupplying separatists rather than supporting local populations,” he added.
Ever since Russia annexed Crimea in March, NATO has taken a leading role in Western accusations that Moscow was actively involved in destabilising eastern Ukraine.
The transatlantic military alliance accuses Moscow of actively providing weapons and fighters to pro-Kremlin separatists as well as massing about 20,000 of its own troops near the border.
The latest developments “are even more worrying as they coincide with a major escalation in Russian military involvement in eastern Ukraine since mid-August, including the use of Russian forces,” Rasmussen said.
“Instead of de-escalating the situation, Russia continues to escalate it, despite the efforts of the international community to find a political solution to the crisis,” he said.
