(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) British Prime Minister David Cameron on Sunday urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to use his influence on pro-Russian separatists to ease access of experts to the crash site of the MH17 so they can recover and repatriate the victims and collect any evidence necessary for the investigation.
According to a statement by a 10 Downing Street spokesman, Cameron made clear that the shooting down of MH17 was "totally unacceptable." Cameron, during the phone call with Putin, also made clear that "if Russia wants to put the blame elsewhere they would need to present compelling and credible evidence." He emphasised that the families of 298 individuals need to know that everything is being done to make this happen and called on President Putin to ensure this happens. "The delay and restrictions so far were completely unacceptable and indefensible." The Premier said that the tragedy had brought into sharp focus the consequences of destabilisation in Eastern Ukraine.
Cameron carried on saying that the G7 and EU had repeatedly called on President Putin to cease support for the separatists and to work with the rest of the world to find a peaceful resolution. "Russia's failure to do so had contributed to an appalling tragedy." European foreign ministers would be meeting in Brussels on Tuesday to consider further sanctions on Russia given its inaction.
The ill-fated Boeing 777 was carrying 283 passengers and 15 crew members when it crashed close to the Russian border, is believed to be hit by a missile.
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