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Crash of Malaysian plane should put focus on Putin

A worker at a Ukrainian gas station Volovets in western Ukraine Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015. Russia, Ukraine and Europe have reached a deal on gas deliveries over the upcoming winter months. (AP Photo/Pavlo Palamarchuk)
A worker at a Ukrainian gas station Volovets in western Ukraine Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015. Russia, Ukraine and Europe have reached a deal on gas deliveries over the upcoming winter months. (AP Photo/Pavlo Palamarchuk) Pavlo Palamarchuk AP

Malaysian flight MH17 was brought down over the Ukraine by Russian-backed militants on July 7, 2014, carrying 298 people on board.

The Russian militants, armed and determined to keep Ukrainian forces from entering into the crash site, began the recovery of evidence and desecration of human remains, which also included theft of personal belongings of the passengers.

President Putin denied any involvement in this disaster, while he stood by and watched the Russian militants confiscate all evidence of the aircraft that might determine who was responsible. Militarily, and with a great deal of force, the Russian militants took control of the area. This all took place in the Ukraine, a sovereign state.

With the help of President Poroschenko, I believe the U.S. has an opening to stop Putin from his reckless and deadly invasion of Syria and also charge Russia and Putin with crimes against humanity, related to the demise of flight MH17 and its innocent passengers.

A final report will come from the Dutch officials on Tuesday, Oct. 13.

Marilyn Peterson

Bradenton

This story was originally published October 13, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Crash of Malaysian plane should put focus on Putin ."

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