So after days of delays, the convoy has finally entered Ukraine.
The first trucks from a convoy Russia says is carrying humanitarian aid have entered eastern Ukraine after a week waiting for clearance to cross the border.
Trucks began to move shortly after the Russian Foreign Ministry issued an angrily worded statement saying "all excuses to delay the delivery of aid ... have been exhausted" by Ukraine.
"The Russian side has decided to take action. Our convoy carrying a humanitarian cargo is starting to move in the direction of Luhansk," it said, referring to a provincial capital held by pro-Russian rebels fighting Ukrainian government forces.
Ukraine had voiced concerns the convoy could be used to supply the rebels with weapons.
Russia warned against any attempts to "undermine the humanitarian mission."
The AP reported that the first trucks were driven into Ukraine by the Red Cross.
ITAR-TASS said 32 trucks had entered Ukraine.
BREAKING: In a statement, Russia's Foreign Ministry says a humanitarian aid column is starting to move toward Luhansk and warns against any attempts to disrupt the convoy. Moscow says all "excuses" from Ukraine to hold it up have been exhausted.
Daisy Sindelar touched on Germany's diplomatic role here. Reuters had a good piece yesterday looking in-depth at Germany and the Ukraine crisis.
After months of ratcheting up pressure on Vladimir Putin, concern is mounting in Berlin and other European capitals that an emboldened Ukraine's military successes in the east are reducing the chances of a face-saving way out of the crisis for the Russian leader.
As a result, the focus of German-led diplomatic efforts has shifted, according to senior officials, towards urging restraint from Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and averting a humiliating defeat for pro-Russian rebels, a development that Berlin fears could elicit a strong response from Putin.
It's about gravediggers.
Also this morning....
The bodies and ashes of 20 Malaysians killed when Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 was shot down over Ukraine in July have arrived in Kuala Lumpur.
A charted Malaysian Airlines jet arrived on August 22 at the international airport from Amsterdam, where the bodies of all the victims were first taken.
It was the first repatriation of victims from the flight to the country.
All 298 people onboard died when the plane was shot down over an area of eastern Ukraine controlled by pro-Russia separatists as it flew to Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam.
The victims included 43 Malaysians and 195 Dutch nationals.
Good morning. Today could be the day the aid convoy enters Ukraine. Here's a morning short from our news desk.
The first trucks of a Russian aid convoy could cross into Ukraine on August 22.
Trucks loaded with water, generators and sleeping bags began moving through Ukrainian customs on August 21.
The supplies are destined for civilians in the besieged rebel-held city of Luhansk and other regions.
The trucks, numbering 270, have been held up at the border for days amid Ukrainian concerns the convoy could be used to ferry supplies to pro-Russian rebels.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is due to accompany the aid convoy and has demanded security guarantees for its staff before the convoy sets off.
An ICRI official, Laurent Corbaz, said on August 21 that "there is an urgent need for essential items such as food and medical supplies" in Luhansk and other areas affected by the conflict.
That ends the live blogging for this evening. See you again tomorrow.