Ukraine is likely block an aid convoy from Russia, intended to help ethnic Russians in the besieged areas of eastern Ukraine.  Russia earlier had insisted it had Kiev’s permission, the Red Cross isn’t clear what’s in the convoy, and the west already expressed concern that it could be a pretext for a Russian invasion.

Kiev’s forces are gaining the upper hand over Moscow-backed separatist gunmen who want the Donetsk and Luhansk regions to join Russia.  The 287-truck convoy is supposedly carrying grain, baby food and medicine intended for civilians trapped by fighting in the area held by the pro-Russia rebels.

But the Red Cross says it still needs more security guarantees and information about the aid convoy.  The Red Cross will not get involved if the convoy contains anything that would put the agency’s neutrality at risk or threaten the well-being of its people.  Russia had assured that the convoy would not contain any arms, armed personnel, or soldiers, but apparently has not come forward with proof.

“We seriously need security guarantees, for example, and direct contact with all the parties; this is not settled yet,” said Laurent Corbaz, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) head of operations for Europe.  “We need to know precisely what is inside the convoy, the size of this convoy, and the various material that is going to be handed over.”

The US and European allies remain suspicious that the convoy might actually be a cover for Russian military hardware and troops who will dig in and fight the Ukrainians.

“We must be extremely careful because this could be a cover for the Russians to install themselves near Luhansk and Donetsk and present us with a fait accompli,” said French foreign minister Laurent Fabius.

“Ukraine has the right to know what is entering their territory. What we expect to see is full respect for international humanitarian law and for the principles of neutrality, impartiality, independence of the delivery of humanitarian aid,” said EU humanitarian aid commissioner Kristalina Georgieva.