Putin complains to Dutch prime minister about ‘overtly politicized’ MH17 findings

Vladimir Putin spoke on the phone to Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte today and complained about the inadmissibility of “planting” information in the media relating to the investigation into the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17. According to the Russian President, the findings leaked to reporters blaming pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine are “overtly politicized.”

Putin also dismissed calls to form an international tribunal over the MH17 crash, calling the proposal premature and counterproductive. 

Before making any decisions about judicial mechanisms or bringing to justice those guilty for this crime, it is necessary to complete the international investigation.

On July 15, the television news network CNN revealed part of the official findings of the international investigative group looking into the MH17 crash. According to CNN's report, the report says pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine shot down the plane.

The final results of the Dutch-led investigation into the crash have not yet been disclosed, but earlier media reports claimed that missile fragments matching Russian-made Buk M1-2 warheads were found at the crash site. The Russian Ministry of Defense and Russia’s air-defense systems manufacturer Almaz-Antei have refuted these claims.

Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 crashed on July 17, 2014, in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region. All 298 people onboard were killed.

Malaysia has pressed for the creation of an international tribunal to punish those responsible for downing MH17, preparing a resolution for the UN Security Council’s review. The Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, and Ukraine have expressed their support for the idea.