White House deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes talking to reporters today:
“We see this as part of a pattern of flagrant violation of Ukrainian sovereignty, a direct incursion into their territory. They continue to have masses of military forces on the border too, that would be a further escalation were they to move into Ukraine."
From Reuters:
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday expressed alarm at reports of a Russian aid convoy entering Ukraine without the approval of Kiev and suggested it could lead to an escalation of tensions, Ban's press office said.
"The Secretary-General follows with deep concern reports that a Russian aid convoy has crossed the border into Ukraine without the permission of the Ukrainian authorities," Ban's spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.
"While recognizing the deteriorating humanitarian situation, any unilateral action has the potential of exacerbating an already dangerous situation in eastern Ukraine," he added.
That concludes our live blogging for Friday, August 22.
Here's our newsroom's latest wrap-up of what has been an enormously active day in and about Ukraine. You can follow events as this story is updated or find news on Ukraine and the rest of RFE/RL's broadcast region HERE.
Ukraine Decries 'Invasion' As Russian Convoy Enters Ukraine
