MH17 grief exacerbated by warm reception for Vladimir Putin at Beijing summit

Australian families who lost loved ones in the MH17 air disaster have condemned Vladimir Putin’s warm reception by world leaders in Beijing.

The unholy trinity of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Beijing this week. Picture: Xinhua via AP

For the families of Australians on flight MH17, this week’s gathering in Beijing of three of the world’s most notorious dictators was a chilling ­reminder of why they are yet to see justice for their loved ones’ murders.

A total of 298 people died, ­including 38 Australians, when a Malaysia Airlines 777 was shot down over Ukraine by a Russian Buk missile on July 17, 2014.

President Vladimir Putin has never acknowledged responsibility or offered an apology, ­despite the International Civil Aviation Organisation finding Russia responsible.

Jon and Meryn O’Brien of Sydney were devastated by the loss of son Jack, and said it was “chilling” to see Putin with China’s President, Xi Jinping, and North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un this week being revered as great leaders.

“We know Putin is a murderer and that’s the way he should be seen in the eyes of the world,” Ms O’Brien said.

Meryn and Jon O'Brien lost their 25-year-old son Jack in the MH17 disaster and want to see Russian leader Vladimir Putin held to account.

Lisa Clancy, who lost brother-in-law Michael and his wife Carol, said it was appalling to see Putin feted on the world stage when he was “no better than a common criminal”.

“He’s a murderer, not a leader,” she said.

Although it was a “bit disappointing” Daniel Andrews and Bob Carr were there, Ms Clancy said it was not the first time Putin was “welcomed” by an Australian leader.

In November 2014, then prime minister Tony ­Abbott promised to “shirt-front” Putin over MH17 when he travelled to Australia for a G20 summit. However, when the two men met in Brisbane, it appeared to be a cordial encounter.

“That was more confronting to us at the time than Dan Andrews and Bob Carr, two previous premiers being invited to China to celebrate the (80th anniversary) of their win over Japan,” Ms Clancy said.

Lisa and Bryan Clancy who lost brother Michael and his wife Carol in the MH17 atrocity. Picture: AAP

Adding to her concern that Putin would never be held ­accountable was the Russian President’s reception in Alaska last month where he was met by Donald Trump.

Ms Clancy said it was sickening to see Mr Trump applauding as Putin “swaggered down the steps of his plane”.

“The US had its chance to rid the world of a dangerous criminal and it didn’t,” she said. “America should have arrested him instead of pretending they were having peace talks.”

Her concerns that justice would never be delivered were shared my Matthew Horder, whose parents Susan and Howard were on the flight from ­Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur.

Mr Horder said there had been findings as recently as July by the European Court of Human Rights that Russia was responsible for downing flight MH17. “It’s good to have those findings but with no action able to be taken, it’s almost meaningless,” Mr Horder said.

“For our family, we would like to see Russia acknowledge their role in the missile strike and take responsibility. There has been talk about compensation but that won’t bring our parents back.”