French support for efforts by the Netherlands and Australia to establish Russian responsibility for the destruction of Malaysia Flight 17 (14 Mar.2022)

France recalls with deep sadness the destruction of Malaysia Flight 17 on July 17, 2014, in which 298 passengers and crew members were killed while the plane was flying over Ukraine’s Donetsk region. Our thoughts go out to the victims and their families

The investigation conducted by the Netherlands concluded that the aircraft was destroyed by a Russian missile launched from the part of Ukrainian territory controlled by separatists. Given Russia’s total lack of cooperation in holding those presumed responsible accountable for their actions, it is legitimate for the Netherlands and Australia – many of whose citizens were aboard the flight – to use all possible avenues to ensure that justice is done. France expresses its full solidarity with those countries.