Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday outlined evidence that Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine were responsible for shooting down Malaysia Airlines MH17, but clarified that a "final conclusion" hadn't been reached. Kerry said on NBC's "Meet the Press" that Russia has been transporting supplies to the rebels in Ukraine, including a Buk missile to the very vicinity the plane was shot down — "hours before" it was shot down."
Kerry said separatists bragged on social media about the downing of a transportation vehicle but then took their posts down when word got out that the jet was a civilian aircraft. The current presence of separatists at the debris field hindering monitors from access also "makes its own statement about responsibility," Kerry said.
"We need Russia to publicly start to call for responsible action and themselves take actions with the separatists they have encouraged," Kerry said. But Kerry stopped short of calling Russia an adversary, saying the country has been cooperative in talks over Iran nuclear weapons and Syrian chemical weapons. "This is more complicated then just throwing names at each other," Kerry said.
IN-DEPTH
- U.S. Criticizes 'Tampering' at MH17 Jet Crash Site
- European Monitors Blocked by Gunmen From MH17 Crash Site Try Again
SOCIAL
— Elisha Fieldstadt
