Vladimir Putin: MH17 Tribunal Will be Counter-Productive

Vladimir Putin opposes a tribunal for the drowning of Malaysian Airlines flight MH-17.

At the Kuala Lampur tarmac from where the ill-fated MH-17 took off. (Photo: AP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin today told Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte that establishing an international tribunal to prosecute those behind the drowning of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine would be counterproductive.

Vladimir Putin explained in detail the Russian position regarding the premature and counterproductive nature of an initiative by a number of countries, to establish an international tribunal to criminally prosecute individuals responsible for the destruction of the Malaysian airliner.

— Kremlin

Putin has opposed to a tribunal in the issue, over a phone conversation, even though a draft UN resolution has called for a tribunal under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter.

The Netherlands — whose citizens made up the majority of the victims — is working with Malaysia, Australia, Belgium, and Ukraine on setting up an international tribunal.

Russia — which wields a UN veto — and the rebels deny any responsibility and have instead pointed the finger at Ukraine’s military.

Putin also lashed out at reported leaks from the Dutch investigation as “clearly politicised”, after US channel CNN cited unnamed sources as saying that the final report found pro-separatist Russian rebels responsible.