Vladimir Putin can’t duck Tony Abbott’s MH17 message

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin won’t be able to avoid a direct message from Tony Abbott over the missile strike on Flight MH17.

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin will not be able to avoid a direct message from Tony Abbott about the missile strike on Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 as authorities step up efforts to investigate the attack.

While Russia is yet to agree to Australia’s formal request for a bilateral meeting between the two leaders, the Prime Minister said he would ensure the discussion took place at next week’s G20 summit or earlier.

Senior government sources expect the meeting to go ahead at this weekend’s APEC meeting in Beijing before Mr Putin arrives in Australia.

“He won’t be able to avoid the conversation, so one way or another we’re going to have the bilateral — whether it’s in the corridor or in a more formal setting,” Mr Abbott told The Australian. “What I’m seeking is a proper bilateral at the earliest opportunity.”

The comments come as Australia prepares to use its position on the UN Security Council to lend weight to international calls for greater co-operation from Russia in the investigation and the possible prosecution of those who shot down the plane.

All 298 passengers and crew aboard Flight MH17 died in July when a surface-to-air missile was fired at the aircraft from a part of Ukraine controlled by separatists backed by Russia.

The remains of some of the 38 Australian victims were brought home on a RAAF transport plane last month.

While the Australian government has no illusions about being able to change Mr Putin’s policy of support for the Ukrainian separatists, Mr Abbott is seeking to put Australia’s view directly to the Russian leader at the G20 or at APEC this weekend.

“What I won’t be doing is disrupting the sessions of the G20 with a private argument between Australia and Russia,” he told The Australian.

“But I am seeking a bilateral with him at the earliest possible opportunity, which will be a chance to emphasise how important it is to Australia — and indeed to The Netherlands, Malaysia and all the other countries that had people on MH17 — that there be full co-operation with the investigation. And if criminal prosecutions loom, full co-operation with them.”

Australia is yet to get a Russian response to the meeting request.

Australia took on the temporary presidency of the United Nations Security Council yesterday.

Australia’s ambassador to the UN Gary Quinlan said in New York yesterday that the Dutch report on the crash was expected early next year and prosecutions could be considered after that.