Moscow`s Support of UN Resolution on MH17 `Step in Right Direction’ - EU Envoy to Russia

"At the moment, it is most important in this context to positively assess that the fact that the Russian side has supported the UN Resolution on July 21 is a step in the right direction,” Ušackas told RIA Novosti in an interview.

The Security Council condemned the downing of a Malaysian passenger plane and unanimously voted in support of a thorough and independent international investigation of the incident.

The diplomat called for full access to the crash site so that independent experts could establish all the facts to make conclusions on the circumstances of the crash and find those guilty of the tragedy.

"We hope for Russia’s constructive support – both on the access to the crash site and unbiased and full study of all the circumstances,” he said.

The diplomat cautioned the sides against trading blame for the crash and instead to assist the crash investigation.

"All the sides in the conflict should take political responsibility for what has happened. We need decisive steps,” he said.

Usackas said he is disappointed that no public calls for militia to stop military actions have been made.

"We hope now that those measures that are to be taken will be adopted to de-escalate the situation in eastern Ukraine,” he said.

Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur crashed near Donetsk on July 17. All 298 people on board were killed. Kiev places the blame for the crash on independence supporters, while the latter insist they do not have the means to shoot down a plane flying at 32,000 feet.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said earlier the tragedy would not have happened if military actions had not been renewed in the country’s east.

RIA Novosti