EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini called on Wednesday 28 September for the investigation to be continued into the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine on 17 July 2014. On board were 298 people, mainly from the Netherlands (see EUROPE 11125).
In her press release, Mogherini states that the interim results of the independent criminal investigation, presented earlier in the day by the joint investigating team (JIT) “demonstrate that important progress has been made, answering many questions”. “The JIT’s work as regards individual suspects continues; it is crucial that the investigators can complete their work, independently and thoroughly”, she went on to say.
To ensure that those responsible are brought to justice, the investigation needs the continuing support of the international community. “All states that are in a position to assist the investigation and prosecution of those responsible must do so, as demanded by UN Security Council Resolution 2166”, Mogherini said (see EUROPE 11410). She welcomed the progress made by the countries involved on an effective prosecution mechanism.
On Wednesday, Dutch criminal investigators announced that the missile that brought down flight MH17 had come from Russia and was fired from a field in territory controlled by Russian backed separatists. The Buk launcher was then taken back to Russia. Investigators also identified about 100 people “linked to the crash or the transport of the Buk missile”.
Donald Tusk in Ukraine. European Council President Donald Tusk visited Ukraine on 28 and 29 September where he met, among others, Ukrainian President Petro Porochenko and Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman. He welcomed progress made on reforms and anti-corruption measures “which need to be sustained”, he tweeted. He also discussed visa liberalisation for Ukrainian nationals (see EUROPE 11633) and implementation of the Minsk agreements. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)