Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov agreed there must be an international investigation into the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 tragedy.
“In the course of a frank, straightforward discussion, the ministers, having exchanged assessments and arguments, agreed on the main point – the need for an absolutely unbiased, independent and open international investigation into the crash of the Malaysian airliner on Ukrainian territory on July 17,” said Russia’s Foreign Ministry. “The leading role of the International Civil Aviation Organization and the participation of all those who stand ready to help establish the truth is essential in finding out the circumstances of that incident.”
They also agreed the black boxes “must be made available for such an international investigation.” There were rumors the pro-Russian forces sent the black boxes to Moscow, but the leaders denied the accusations. The black boxes are unaccounted for.
The plane was allegedly shot down on Thursday, and three days later the scene is not secure. The pro-Russian forces control the site and do not allow any monitors and experts to visit the scene. Instead, they keep all the people on the side of the road. Journalists managed to get in and take pictures of a chaotic crime scene. The rebels will not tell anyone where the bodies are transported, and many of the dead are still in the heat. Monitors on the ground said the rebels are drunk.
British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said Russia must use its influence on the rebels to end the violence in east Ukraine.
“We’re not getting enough support from the Russians,” he said. “We’re not seeing the Russians using their influence effectively enough to get the separatists, who are in control of the site, to facilitate the access that we need,” he also asserted, adding that he had called in the Russian ambassador.
British Prime Minister David Cameron spoke with Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte, and they agreed the European Union must change its approach to Russia. Flight MH17 originated in the Netherlands, and almost 200 of the victims were Dutch.
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