Russia and the European Union jointly condemned the Israeli attack on a Gaza-bound international aid flotilla and racked up pressure on Israel to allow an impartial probe into the incident.
A declaration adopted at a Russia-E.U. summit in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don demanded “a full and impartial inquiry of the events and circumstances” that led to the death of at least 10 people.
“The EU and Russia call for immediate opening of crossings for the flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods and people to and from Gaza,” said the joint declaration.
At a news conference with E.U. leaders, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev denounced the Israeli attack as “absolutely unmotivated” and bemoaned “irreparable” losses of human life.
“We regret the loss of life, condemn the use of violence and demand an immediate, full and impartial investigation,” said E.U. President Herman Van Rompuy.
