Russian Red Cross signals readiness to help distribute aid
MOSCOW. Aug 22 (Interfax) - The Russian Red Cross Society (RRCS) has notified the Ukrainian Red Cross Society of its readiness to send its volunteers to Ukraine to distribute the Russian aid, RRC chief Raisa Lukutsova told Interfax on Friday.
"We have sent an urgent telegram to the Ukrainian Red Cross, asking them to consider our request to allow the use of our staff and volunteers in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions," she said.
On Friday the Russian humanitarian convoy crossed the Russian-Ukrainian border and headed towards Luhansk, unaccompanied by officers from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Lukutsova said that the RRC held phone talks with the ICRC and the Moscow office of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
She said the RRC has informed foreign partners of its readiness to send its staff and volunteers to distribute the Russian aid carried by the convoy.
"As the RRCS chairperson, I think that the position of the Russian Foreign Ministry is absolutely right," Lukutsova said, commenting on the decision to send the convoy without ICRC officers.
"Ukraine was continually feeding us with promises that the convoy could proceed tomorrow, after tomorrow, but failed to provide safety guarantees for Red Cross officers. But what really matters is that there is no food, no water, and no medication in the conflict zone. The epidemiological situation is getting worse. And we, the Russian Red Cross, are ready to take part in this humanitarian operation," Lukutsova said.