Ukraine vows to block Russian \\\'aid\\\' convoy heading for border

A convoy of 262 Russian trucks was expected at the Ukrainian border on Wednesday as Kiev vowed to block the aid mission from its territory over fears it was a ploy to bolster pro-Kremlin rebels. The convoy of what Russia says is humanitarian aid has sparked fears of an escalation in a conflict that has left hundreds dead in eastern Ukraine in recent months and plunged Moscow's ties with the West to their lowest point in decades. The United States backed Ukraine’s demand for border checks to clear up concerns that Moscow is seeking to support rebels. Washington and its European allies have been voicing concern for days over the convoy, which sources told Russian news agencies would arrive at the border on Wednesday. ‘Russia has no right to move into Ukraine unilaterally, whether under the guise of humanitarian convoys or any other pretext, without Kiev's permission,’ State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said. Ukrainian officials ‘have a plan in place that they feel comfortable with. We feel comfortable with it as well. And now the Russians need to deliver,’ Harf said, according to AFP.