Merkel and Putin agree on an immediate investigation

As if the tensions in Ukraine were not enough, the tragedy involving MH 17 flight only made it worse. World leaders immediately jumped in and accused Russia for not intervening properly. German chancellor Angela Merkel spoke with the Russian president on the subject, German media reported.

The two leaders talked on the subject yesterday and agreed that the incident must be investigated by an independent commission. “Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Vladimir Putin agreed that an international, independent commission under the direction of the International Civil Aviation Organization should quickly have access to the site of the accident to shed light on the circumstances of the crash and move the victims,” part of the statement released by the German government.

According to the same source, Angela Merkel asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to exercise his influence over the pro-Russian separatists in the area in order to ensure ceasefire. The same discussion was made public by Kremlin and it stated that a group comprising OSCE, Russian and Ukrainian specialists but also separatist representatives shout meet in the area. Ukrainian administration on the other side is opposing this measure and has accused rebels at the crash site of destroying evidence.

Investigators with OSCE had their movements blocked and have been restricted from various parts of the site by the pro-Russian separatists.