Demand for Russia to pay over MH17
More than a decade has passed since the Malaysia Airlines flight was shot down over eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 people on-board.
Despite extensive official and journalist-led investigations putting the blame firmly on the Russian government, the Kremlin has not paid a cent in compensation, including to the families of the 38 Australians killed.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said overnight that 'Australia stands ready to engage'.
'The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council has ordered Russia to negotiate with Australia and the Netherlands on full reparations for the downing of Flight MH17,' she posted on social media.
'We welcome this decision, and Australia stands ready to engage.
'We call on Russia to comply and make reparations for this horrific act.
'We remain unwavering in our commitment to truth, justice and accountability for the 298 victims – including 38 who called Australia home – and their families and loved ones.' Foreign Minister Penny Wong says Australia 'stands ready' to negotiate with Russia on reparations for MH17. NewsWire / Martin Ollman / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia
Earlier this year, ICAO declared Russia breached international law by using weapons against civil aircraft in flight.
Australia and the Netherlands, which led the international investigation, launched the case with ICAO in 2022.
Investigators have found MH17 was shot down using a Russian-made missile.
It was fired from a launcher transported from Russia to eastern Ukraine and operated by pro-Russian separatists.
In 2022, a Dutch court convicted in absentia two Russians and a pro-Moscow Ukrainian separatist of murder in 2022.
One of the men, Igor Girkin, was the head of Russia's proxies in the mostly occupied Ukrainian region of Donetsk.
He has since fallen out with Vladimir Putin and been arrested and sentenced to four years in prison for inciting extremism.
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