MOSCOW, March 6. /TASS/. Moscow is evaluating Donbass’ humanitarian needs for 2019 while continuing to provide humanitarian aid to the region, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in response to a Ukrainian journalist’s question about reasons behind Russia’s decision to suspend humanitarian aid in 2019.

"It does not mean this practice has been stopped. An evaluation of needs is underway. Decisions are made depending on the needs," Peskov said.

The Kremlin spokesman added that there had been no changes in Russia’s approach to the matter.

In the wake of military activities involving heavy military equipment and aircraft, which began in Donbass in April 2014, a humanitarian crisis broke out in Ukraine’s southeast. On August 11, 2014, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a telephone conversation with the European Commission president that Moscow would send a humanitarian aid convoy to Ukraine in cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The first humanitarian aid convoy to Donbass departed from the Moscow region on August 12, 2014. The convoy, which consisted of 262 Kamaz trucks, carried food, medicine, drinking water, sleeping bags and power generators. Russia also provided Donbass with construction materials, fuel, school books, hygiene supplies, equipment for firefighters and rescue workers.