Russia is responsible for downing MH17 over Ukraine in 2014, global aviation agency's council finds

The Russian Federation failed to uphold its obligations under international air law in the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17,

the agency said in a statement

This decision also sends a clear message to the international community: States cannot violate international law with impunity,

he said

One of the consequences for this process will be that the council will probably make some recommendations that Russia pay what are called reparations, which is an international term for damages, as a result of its violation of international law,

Rothwell said

So we have to wait and see exactly what the council finds on that particular point,

Rothwell added

In that context, the Netherlands and Australia are requesting that the ICAO Council order the Russian Federation to enter into negotiations with the Netherlands and Australia, and that the Council facilitate this process,

Veldkamp said in a statement

Andrii Sybihaforeign Minister

This is one more step toward restoring justice for this crime. And a clear message: no matter how much money and effort Russia put into lying to conceal its crimes, the truth wins out, and justice prevails."

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha celebrated the ICAO decision, writing in a statement on X

Caspar Veldkampdutch Foreign Minister

The decision is an important step towards establishing the truth and achieving justice and accountability for all victims of Flight MH17, and their families and loved ones,

Caspar Veldkamp said in a statement

Penny Wongforeign Minister

We call upon Russia to finally face up to its responsibility for this horrific act of violence and make reparations for its egregious conduct, as required under international law,

Wong said in a statement

Caspar Veldkampdutch Foreign Minister

I am pleased with this decision by the ICAO Council, first and foremost because of what it means for the next of kin of the victims of the downing of Flight MH17,

said Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp following the ruling

Penny Wongforeign Minister

The Australian government welcomes the ICAO Council’s decision and urges it to move swiftly to determine remedies for this violation,

Australia’s foreign minister, Penny Wong, said in a statement posted online

Managing global uncertainty is the necessary precondition for everything else we want to do to strengthen our economy and make it more productive, competitive and dynamic over time,

he said

The latter is important in order to ensure that the negotiations are conducted in good faith and according to specific timelines, and that they will yield actual results,

the Dutch Foreign Ministry explained