A Kremlin document has confirmed the Prime Minister’s conversation with Vladimir Putin, who has expressed his “sincere condolences” on the death of Australian citizens in the crash.
The document stated that Putin detailed steps being taken by the Russians to organise an international investigation and stressed the need to avoid “politicized statements in connection with the tragedy”.
Mr Abbott told 2GB radio this morning military aircraft were on standby, adding that “we have to punish the guilty”.
“We have to do our best to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice,” he said.
Mr Abbott said President Putin had said “all the right things”, though it was up to Australia to ensure that Russian authorities are held to account.
“He said all the right things,” he said.
“Now he has to be as good as his word. I will be speaking regularly to the Russian President to do my best to hold him to his word.”
Mr Abbott said Australian authorities were doing their best to gain access to secure the site, which is still substantially under the control of the Russian-backed rebels.
“It’s more like a garden clean up than a forensic investigation,” he said.
“This is just completely unacceptable.”
Mr Abbott said Australian authorities had been deployed to Kiev and military aircraft on standby.
“We need to be able to do our part, play our part to ensure that we get justice for the dead and closure for the living,” he said.
The contact was also confirmed by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, who has travelled to the US as part of Australia's bid to secure international access to the MH17 crash site.
Australia is pushing for a UN-backed resolution, which calls for separatists to allow international access to the site and requires the full cooperation of all countries in the region.
Ms Bishop has called for an urgent vote, which could take place as soon as Monday.
“I would expect every country to give it their full support,” she told reporters in Washington.
“… Australia has a lot at stake here. They have been murdered and the Australian government will not rest until we're able to bring the bodies home to the Australian families who are waiting for them.”
Share
