Putin makes first declarations after the plane crash

After being harshly criticized for being involved in the downing the MH17 Malaysian plane that killed all of the 298 people aboard, Russian President Vladimir Putin made his first comments on the situation.

He called for an international investigation and stressed out the necessity for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and negotiations that will lead to peace in the region.

‘Everything must be done to ensure the safety of international experts on the scene… For its part, Russia will do all that it can to make the conflict in easternUkraine move from today’s military phase into the phase of negotiations, into the phase exclusively peaceful and diplomatic,’ said Putin.

He also stressed out that the tragedy and its outcome should not be politicized. This declaration comes after a series of accusations made by several western nations and the US who blamed Russia for being involved in shooting down the plane and attempting to withhold important evidence.

US Secretary of State, John Kerry, declared earlier that: ‘This is a moment of truth for Russia. Some of the leaders of the separatists are Russian. Russia arms these separatists, Russia trains these separatists. So I think that this is a fundamental moment of truth for Russia, for Mr Putin, they need to exert all of the influence that they have in order to protect the full integrity of this investigation.’

Further sanctions might be imposed upon Russia if it fails to ensure an open investigation of the plane crush and doesn’t convince the rebels to return the bodies of the victims as soon as possible.