“Initially, they ignored our proposals”: ​​Russia is ready to transfer data on the MH17 disaster case to the Netherlands

Russia is ready to cooperate with the Netherlands in investigating the circumstances that led to the crash of the Boeing 777 of flight MH17, which occurred in eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014. This was stated by Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the EU Vladimir Chizhov during a video bridge organized in the MIA "Russia Today".

“I have not yet seen statements by the Dutch Foreign Minister. I can say that the data that Russia collected shortly after this incident, the Russian Federation was ready to initially provide to the joint international group that was investigating the incident, including that also related to this aspect that you mentioned, ”Chizhov said.

He regretted that the Joint Investigative Group (SSG) ignored the proposals of the Russian side.

“We are ready to cooperate in clarifying all the circumstances of this incident. In March, court hearings will begin on this issue, including in this context, we are ready to provide the data we have, ”the ambassador said.

On Monday, December 23, a letter from Foreign Minister Stef Blok to the Parliament regarding a strategy for further development of relations with Russia was published on the Dutch government website. The document, in particular, notes that the kingdom turned to Moscow with a request for cooperation on the investigation of the non-closure of airspace over the eastern part of Ukraine on the day of the crash of MH17.

In July, the Russian Foreign Ministry in connection with the fifth anniversary of the crash of flight MH17 noted that no charges were brought against Ukraine in connection with its non-closure of its airspace in the zone above the armed conflict, although this fact was the subject of lawsuits in the ECHR against Ukraine.

At the same time, Blok expressed disappointment at the fact that Moscow did not fulfill Amsterdam’s request to detain the ex-commander of one of the air defense units of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic Vladimir Tsemakh. The Dutch authorities believe that he may be involved in the crash of the Malaysian Boeing.

“Finding the truth and holding accountable for the crash of MH17 remains a priority for the Dutch government. We are indebted to the victims of the tragedy and their relatives, ”the letter says.

Earlier, an official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova, said that the Netherlands prosecutor’s office was trying to hide its own mistakes in investigating the crash, accusing Moscow of allegedly unwillingness to cooperate. In addition, she noted that Amsterdam’s request for the extradition of Vladimir Zemakh was made with a number of violations.

“It turned out that the arrest order was given verbally, and its documenting was carried out only after a counter request from the Russian side. At the same time, Tsemakh was not put on the wanted list by the Netherlands Prosecutor's Office and was not put on the Interpol base as a wanted person. If the Russian authorities believed the request of a prosecutor from the Netherlands, they would have violated article 5 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, ”said Zakharova.

Professor of the Department of Comparative Political Science of RUDN University, Yuri Pochta, called the Netherlands’s appeal to Russia a positive step on cooperation in investigating Ukraine’s non-closure of airspace over the eastern part of the country on the day of the crash of MH17.

“Russia can tell you something, some essential things, help interpret the facts and the conclusions that the investigation already has. This can be regarded as moving along the path of a real, serious investigation, and then new interesting facts will come to light that can shed light on the real reasons for this tragic event, ”the expert said in an interview with RT.

According to Kirill Koktysh, associate professor of the MGIMO Political Theory Department, it becomes more difficult for Dutch justice to ignore some obvious points that do not fit into the previously chosen tactics of accusing Russia, but so far it is impossible to talk about a change in the situation.

“It is too early to judge what the purpose of this request is: to review the situation or announce the final verdict. The fact is that the Dutch investigation would prefer, apparently, not to answer any questions at all. Because all the answers will be uncomfortable for him, ”the source said.

Recall that as a result of the tragedy that occurred with the Malaysian Boeing 777, 298 people were killed. After the crash, a Joint Investigation Team was created under the leadership of the Netherlands, which included representatives from Australia, Belgium, Malaysia and Ukraine. As a result, the SSG accused Moscow of involvement in the crash, despite the fact that the Russian side noted the unprovenness of the charges.

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In addition, Russia conducted its own investigation, and transferred all the information received regarding the tragedy to international investigators. However, they ignored the information received from Moscow, insisting on the fault of the Russian side.

At the same time, the Malaysian authorities also pointed to politicization and the desire to blame solely on Russia.

“It seems that the main goal was not to find out how everything happened, but to hang this crime on the Russians. This is by no means a neutral examination, ”said Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.