Ukraine welcomes UN resolution on MH17 disaster

Kiev, July 22 (IANS) The Ukrainian foreign ministry Tuesday welcomed the UN resolution on the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 disaster, demanding ceasefire at the crash site and independent investigation into the incident which resulted in the deaths of nearly 300 people.

The statement, published on the ministry's website, said that Kiev considered the result of the UN vote as unconditional support for a full, careful and independent international investigation, Xinhua reported.

Stressing that international experts should be given full access to the crash area and security guarantees during their work in Ukraine, the ministry called on the countries whose citizens were killed in the crash to consider the possibility of sending civilian police units to guard the site.

The foreign ministry emphasised that joint efforts by the international community to safeguard the crash area will allow a comprehensive and independent investigation into the incident.

Flight MH17, a Boeing 777, was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it crashed after being hit by a missile in Ukraine near the Russian border last Thursday, killing all 298 passengers and crew on board.

Kiev and insurgents in eastern Ukraine have traded accusations over the crash.

The UN Security Council (UNSC) adopted the resolution unanimously at a meeting Monday, condemning "in the strongest terms" the downing of the jetliner.

The resolution "demands that the armed groups in control of the crash site and the surrounding area refrain from any actions that may compromise the integrity of the crash site, including by refraining from destroying, moving, or disturbing wreckage, equipment, debris, personal belongings, or remains, and immediately provide safe, secure, full and unrestricted access to the site and surrounding area for the appropriate investigating authorities".