Mr. Chairperson,

We thank the delegation of the European Union for raising this issue at today’s meeting of the Permanent Council. Commemorating the innocent victims of a horrible terrorist act, committed with direct support of the Russian Federation, remains important for preventing such crimes in future.

This topic has been many times discussed in the OSCE and other international fora. The circumstances, under which this tragedy occurred on 17 July 2014 in the Russia-occupied parts of Donbas, are being investigated by the Joint Investigation Team. Trial on the criminal liability of the first four persons suspected of facilitating the transfer of the Russian anti-aircraft missile system «Buk», from which the MH17 flight had been shot down, began on 9 March 2020 in the District Court of The Hague. Numerous interstate proceedings against the Russian Federation have been instituted by different countries, including Ukraine.

All responsible for this terrorist act must be held accountable. Justice must be established. We reiterate our call to the Russian Federation to stop impeding investigation, recognize its responsibility and cooperate fully with efforts to establish accountability in accordance with the UNSC Resolution 2166.

Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.