Anthony Albanese reveals what he’d say to Vladimir Putin

Anthony Albanese did not hold back when he was asked what he would say to Vladimir Putin if he had the chance.

Anthony Albanese has vowed Australia will not back down from pursuing Vladimir Putin’s links to the downing of MH17, labelling the Russian President a “reprehensible” person.

Overnight, representatives from the Joint Investigation Team, which included representatives from Australia, the Netherlands, Malaysia, Belgium and Ukraine, presented evidence that “strongly” pointed to Mr Putin approving the use of a missile system that shot down the flight over Ukraine.

They did not suggest Mr Putin ordered the aircraft to be shot down and prosecutors were careful not to label the Russian president as a suspect.

But investigations were suspended due to Russia’s refusal to co-operate with the investigation and Mr Putin’s immunity under international law as a head of state.

Speaking outside of a childcare centre in Canberra, Mr Albanese did not mince his words when he was asked if he had a message for the Russian President.

Anthony Albanese had a blunt message for Mr Putin. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“I’d say that ‘you are reprehensible’,” the Prime Minister responded.

“Clearly, the shooting down of MH17 was an act of terrorism that had impact here in Australia but for many other countries as well. We will continue to pursue these issues with every avenue at our disposal.”

All 298 people on board the Malaysian Airlines flight, including 38 Australians, were killed when it was shot down over eastern Ukraine nine years ago.

The commercial jet was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it was struck by a BUK missile that was fired by pro-Russia separatists.

The Russian government denies any involvement in the incident and has refused to co-operate with the investigation.

Mr Albanese said Australia would continue to push for those responsible to be held to account.

The Russian government has denied any involvement with the incident (Photo by Sergei Guneyev\\TASS via Getty Images)

“This is a guy (Putin) who runs an authoritarian regime that doesn't care about human rights, that doesn’t care about devastation of communities, whether it be in Ukraine, whether it be the oppression of his own citizens, or whether it be acts outside of Russia, of which we’ve seen a number,” the Prime Minister added.

“The travesty of MH17 is an issue in which you should be held to account and Australia will continue to pursue all of these issues with every avenue at our disposal.”

Opposition foreign affairs spokesperson Simon Birmingham said it was “tragic” Russia had continued to avoid engagement with the justice process.

“We have seen the prosecution of a number of individuals but tragically, Russia has always sought to avoid any engagement in the proper processes that have been undertaken by authorities in the Netherlands and elsewhere, to try and bring people to justice for this,” he told ABC’s RN.

“This is a terrible, tragic reminder that what we have seen in Ukraine over the last year, and indeed since the annexation of Crimea, has been going on for a longer period of time than just these 12 months.

“The types of actions undertaken by Russia have been reprehensible, endangered life and caused the loss of life in significant numbers, including of those Australians - tragically - who were on MH17.”

While the investigation is suspended, investigators said it could be reopened should new evidence come to light.

“Our next answers, they lay in Russia. And as long as there is no co-operation, the answers will remain there,” Dutch investigator Andy Kraag said.

Originally published as Anthony Albanese reveals what he’d say to Vladimir Putin