Anwar Raises MH17 Incident With Putin After ICAO Report Blames Russia For Downing Aircraft
Russia is reportedly willing to cooperate, provided the investigation is thorough and unbiased.
Cover image via During his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, 14 May, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim discussed the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, which occurred over Ukraine in 2014
Image via Moscow Times
Anwar confirmed that he brought up the issue during their official talks at the Kremlin.
"For sure, as a representative of the Malaysian people, particularly the families of the victims, I took the opportunity to raise the issue with President Vladimir Putin during our bilateral discussions," he told Malaysian journalists covering his official visit to Russia.
Anwar was asked about the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) report, which concluded that Russia was responsible for the 2014 downing of Flight MH17 over Ukraine
Image via Malay Mail
The ICAO report stated that the plane, travelling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down by a Russian missile while flying over eastern Ukraine, which was then a conflict zone between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces.
Anwar explained that Putin listened attentively to the concerns raised, as well as expressed his sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims.
"That, he (Putin) has never wavered from," Anwar said.
He added that Putin emphasised his desire for a "thorough, comprehensive, and non-politicised investigation".
According to Anwar, Putin reiterated that Russia had consistently called for an independent and detailed investigation
Image via Bangkok Post
In fact, Russia was prepared to cooperate fully to ensure the report's credibility.
The prime minister said Russia was prepared to cooperate fully to ensure the report's credibility, adding that he would share Putin's response with the victims' families.
"What I can confirm is that he said it is not true that he is not willing to cooperate. But he is unable to cooperate with any body that he considers, or Russia considers, as not independent," he explained.
Anwar began his four-day official visit to Russia on 13 May, arriving in Moscow
He is scheduled to continue his trip to Kazan, in Tatarstan.
This official visit was made at the invitation of the Russian president.
The two leaders held a private meeting before Anwar, who is also the finance minister, attended a luncheon and participated in a meeting with delegations from both Malaysia and Russia.
