Tony Abbott calls for Russian envoy to be expelled over MH17

Tony Abbott, who threatened to “shirt-front” Vladimir Putin over MH17 — wants Australia to kick out Russia’s ambassador if Moscow refuses to apologise.

Tony Abbott with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20 in Brisbane in 2014.

Tony Abbott — who once threatened to “shirt-front” Vladimir Putin over the downing of MH17 — has called on Australia to kick out the Russian ambassador if Moscow refuses to apologise for the atrocity.

Mr Abbott, who was prime minister when Malaysia Airlines flight 17 was shot down over Ukraine on July 17, 2014, said he believed Russia must be forced to apologise. “A country can’t be complicit in the death of 38 ­Australians and face no con­sequences,” he said. “If the Russians don’t apologise, we should expel the Russian ambassador until they do.”

Malcolm Turnbull, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and ­Attorney-General Christian Porter on Friday accused Russia of “direct involvement’’ in and “being responsible’’ for the missile strike on the aircraft. They ­demanded immediate talks with Russia.

Yesterday, asked whether Australia might expel diplomats, Ms Bishop said “further options” were being considered, possibly in concert with other countries. “We are discussing Russia’s ­actions with other nations,” she said. “Further options will be considered in due course”.

She has also demanded Russia pay reparations to the families of the MH17 victims.

Russia reacted angrily to the accusations, saying the Joint ­Investigation Team report into the missile strike was full of “fabrications” and rejected calls for reparations.

The US joined Australia and The Netherlands in demanding Russia be held to account. “It is time for Russia to acknowledge its role in the shooting down of MH17 and to cease its callous disinformation campaign,” US State ­Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said.

NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg on Friday called on Russia to act. “I call on Russia to accept responsibility and fully co-operate,” he said.

On Thursday the Joint Investigation Team confirmed that the Russian 53rd Brigade, 2nd division, was responsible for transporting the missile into Ukraine.

The Buk-Telar in question, number 332, was seen being moved from the brigade’s base in Kursk, Russia, across the border into Ukraine, and back again into Russia after the attack.

The crash killed 298 passengers and crew.

Private open-source investigative team Bellingcat provided ­information to investigators suggesting the Russian commander in charge of military operations assisting separatists in east Ukraine at the time of the plane’s downing was secret service officer Oleg Vladimorovich Ivannikov.

Mr Abbott famously said “I’m going to shirt-front Mr Putin” at a G20 meeting in Brisbane in 2014, a threat he later walked back from. Instead, he promised “robust discussions” with the Russian leader.

Another government MP, who did not wish to be named, told The Australian expelling diplomats or implementing sanctions would have no impact on Moscow’s behaviour. Instead, the MP said, Australia’s focus should be on ­increasingly serious Russian cyber attacks.