US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says America will continue to hold Russia accountable for the 298 people, including 38 Australians, killed when Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down over Ukraine by a Russian missile four years ago.
Pompeo was told of the ongoing pain families of victims, including Perth parents Anthony Maslin and Rin Norris who lost their three children Otis, Evie and Mo and their grandfather Nick Norris in the incident.
A letter from Maslin was read by a reporter to Pompeo at a press conference on Tuesday in California at the conclusion of the annual Australia-US Ministerial (AUSMIN) talks.
"We need the Russians to continue to be held accountable for that," Mr Pompeo responded.
"We take this matter seriously."
Pompeo, US Secretary of Defense James Mattis and Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop and Defence Minister Marise Payne spent the past two days at the AUSMIN talks, held at Stanford University.
