Moscow, Sep 17 (IANS): Russia is ready to send a third batch of humanitarian aid to Ukraine's southeastern regions within days, the country's emergency situations ministry said Wednesday.

"We are ready to continue this (relief) effort. By the end of the week we will be able to continue the effort if certain decisions are made," Deputy Emergency Situations Ministerm Vladimir Stepanov said, adding that such work must continue by all means.

"The campaign to collect humanitarian aid is being carried out across the nation, with the aim of helping Ukrainians get prepared for the winter," he said.

Stepanov also urged the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to play a more active role in the delivery and distribution of humanitarian aid in Ukraine, Xinhua reported.

The second batch of humanitarian aid arrived Saturday in Ukraine's eastern city of Lugansk, following the first convoy carrying 2,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid Aug 22.

The European Union Monday said Russia's second convoy, sent without consent of or inspection by the Ukrainian authorities, was "illegal".