MH17: Australian Toll Rises to 37 as Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s Office Confirms Additional WA Resident on Board
Russia is to blame for the downing of Malaysian Airlines MH17, an angry Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott says.
He called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to make sure the international community has full access to the crash site and the remains of the 298 crew and passengers killed. US experts have concluded the plan was brought down by a surface-to-air missile launched from an area of eastern Ukraine held by pro-Russia separatists.
Abbott put the blame squarely on Russia.
“The Russians, as everyone has seen over the last 48 hours, are trying to wash their hands of this,” Abbott said.
“But it is impossible for Russia to wash its hands of something which happened in what is effectively Russian-controlled territory, it seems at the hands of Russian-backed individuals, most likely with a Russian supplied or facilitated weapon.” Abbott, who revealed two of his daughters had flown on the MH17 route recently on returning from Europe, said the tragedy touched the nation deeply given that 36 onboard called Australia home. Services were to be held Sunday for those who died.
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Russian Minister for Economic Development Alexei Ulyukayev, in Sydney for a G20 summit, was summoned for an unexpected meeting with Mr Abbott on Saturday.
The Prime Minister made clear his “dissatisfaction with the way this has been handled”.
“Russian controlled territory, Russian-backed rebels, quite likely a Russian supplied weapon - Russia can’t wash its hands of this,” he said.
Mr Abbott would not say if he had tried to make contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin, nor if Australia would block his attendance at November’s G20 meeting in Brisbane.
“It’s not too late for changes of heart,” he said.