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Photos Ukrinform/UATV
In a congratulatory phone call with president-elect Volodymyr Zelensky, Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte discussed the importance of progress in the MH17 case.
“Just spoke with upcoming Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to congratulate him on his electoral victory. Among other things, we talked about stability in the region and the importance of progress on the MH17 dossier. I look forward to working together,” Rutte wrote Wednesday.
In July 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down over Eastern Ukraine. The plane was headed to Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam. There were 298 people on board, all of whom were killed. 196 passengers were Dutch. Immediately after the tragedy, in accordance with the international agreements concluded between Ukraine, Australia, Belgium, the Netherlands and Malaysia, a Joint Investigation Team was established.
On May 24 of last year, the Dutch-led Joint Investigation Team released its findings that the airliner was shot down by the Buk surface-to-air missile that came from the Russia’s 53rd Anti-aircraft Missile Brigade, stationed in Kursk. The following day, the governments of the Netherlands and Australia issued a joint statement, laying responsibility on Russia for its part in the crash.
Relatives of victims of the crash wrote an open letter to the Russian people. They called on the Kremlin to not evade responsibility and recognize the investigation’s results.
The second round of Ukraine’s presidential election was held on Sunday, April 21. Zelensky – a comedian – garnered 73.22 percent of the vote. His rival, President Petro Poroshenko, received 24.45 percent of the vote.
