Putin Blames Ukraine For MH17

In the aftermath of the Malaysia Airlines MH17 passenger plane crash in the Ukraine near the Russian border, reports have been flying about the circumstances of the incident. Ukrainian officials suggested that the aircraft was shot down by pro-Russia separatists, who had been engaging in battle with the Ukrainian military in the same area as the crash site. Both Russia and rebel leaders have denied responsibility. On Thursday, president Vladimir Putin released a preliminary statement on the MH17 crash via the Kremlin.

Vladimir Putin has expressed his deepest condolences to Prime Minister Najib Razak of Malaysia with regard to the accident in Ukrainian territory of a Malaysian Airlines passenger aircraft, resulting in numerous casualties.The Russian head of state asked him to convey his sincerest words of sympathy and support to families and friends of the victims.

Later Thursday, the Kremlin released a longer statement on behalf of Putin. (Translation courtesy of Google.)

You know that today in the skies over Ukraine was terrible event, a terrible tragedy - killed a civilian plane, 285 people, according to preliminary data, were killed.

We, on behalf of the Russian government and the Russian government to express condolences to the bereaved families, the governments of those countries whose nationals were on that plane. I ask you to honor their memory.

(Moment of silence.)

In this regard, I note that this tragedy would not have happened if it was on this earth peace, in any case, would not be renewed hostilities in the south-east of Ukraine. And, of course, the State over whose territory it happened, is responsible for this terrible tragedy.

I already gave instructions to the military departments that they have all necessary assistance in the investigation of this crime. And also ask the Government of the Russian Federation through the available opportunities civilian agencies to do everything for a thorough investigation of this event. We will do everything - everything depends on us, anyway - that was the objective picture of what happened and our public domain, and the public in Ukraine and all over the world. This is completely unacceptable things, and no one has the right to pass this without the appropriate conclusions and without having to have all of us there, objective information about the incident.