It is the pro-Russian militants who shot down a Malaysian airliner, the Ukrainian President believes. The tragedy would not have occurred if there were peace in Ukraine, Russia’s Putin states.
Petro Poroshenko, Ukraine’s President:
{movie}Address of the President on the occasion of the crash of Malaysia Airlines aircraft|right|17510{/movie}
‘Today’s tragedy proves again that terrorism is not a local, but a global issue. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is not only our problem, but a threat to the European and global security. Addressing this threat requires a unified global response. <…> Today, the whole world had seen the real face of the aggressor. Shooting down a civilian aircraft is an act of international terrorism, targeted against the entire world.This is a wake-up call for the whole world.’
Vladimir Putin, Russia’s President:
{movie}Putin about plane crash over Ukrainian territory|right|17511{/movie}
‘This tragedy would not have occurred if there were peace in that country, or in any case, if hostilities had not resumed in southeast Ukraine. And certainly, the government over whose territory it occurred is responsible for this terrible tragedy. I gave corresponding instructions to military departments to provide all necessary assistance in investigating this crime.’
{movie}Obama about MH-17 crash|right|17512{/movie}
‘The world is watching reports of a downed passenger jet near the Russia-Ukraine border. <…> And I’ve directed my national security team to stay in close contact with the Ukrainian government. The United States will offer any assistance we can to help determine what happened and why. And as a country, our thoughts and prayers are with all the families of the passengers, wherever they call home.’
Najib Razak, Malaysian Prime Minister:
{movie}Malaysian PM about MH-17 crash|right|17513{/movie}
‘The Ukrainian authorities believe that the plane was shot down. At this stage, however, Malaysia is unable to verify the cause of this tragedy. But we must, and we will, find out precisely what happened to this flight. No stone will be left unturned. If it transpires that the plane was indeed shot down, we insist that the perpetrators must swiftly be brought to justice’.
Frank-Walter Steinmeier, German Foreign Minister:
‘With hundreds of completely innocent people having died in this terrible way, words fail you <…> The separatists must immediately grant emergency and security services access to the crash site and an independent, international investigation must commence immediately.’
