Russia summons Dutch ambassador over MH17 probe findings

Moscow on Monday summoned the Dutch ambassador to complain over the findings of a criminal probe into the downing of Malaysia Airlines MH17 that said the missile used to shoot it down was brought in from Russia.

The Boeing 777 passenger jet was blown out of the sky on July 17, 2014 over war-torn eastern Ukraine killing all 298 on board, the majority Dutch citizens.

Criminal investigators from the Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, Malaysia and Ukraine last week said they had “irrefutable evidence” that a BUK missile slammed into the plane and was fired from a field in a part of eastern Ukraine then controlled by pro-Russian rebels.

Russia reacted with fury to the allegations and tried to push a range of its own claims in a bid to shift any potential blame onto Ukraine — prompting Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders to summon Russia’s ambassador to complain about the “unacceptable” comments by Moscow over the findings.

In a tit-for-tat move, the Russian foreign ministry said Monday that it explained to the Dutch ambassador Renee Jones-Bos why the findings “could not be recognised as satisfactory by Russia”.

The Dutch foreign ministry responded that the ambassador had taken the opportunity to “call again for Russian cooperation” to help bring those responsible for the slaughter to justice.

del/mt