MALAYSIA FLIGHT MH17
Missile from rebel area downed flight MH17, says Obama
US President Barack Obama told a press briefing Friday that a missile fired from territory held by pro-Russian rebels downed Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 and called on Russia to use its influence to rein in the separatists.
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- Obama said that a missile fired from an area controlled by pro-Russian separatists in east Ukraine had downed Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, killing all 298 people on board. But he added that why the missile was fired had yet to be determined.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier in the day had called for a ceasefire in east Ukraine and the resumption of peace talks. In earlier comments he blamed Kiev for the crash.
- Obama said Putin had chosen not to use his considerable influence with Ukraineβs separatists to rein in their activities. He called the disaster a "wake-up" call for European nations that have been hesitant to levy tougher sanctions against Russia for its role in Ukraine.
- Several observers have said the tragic crash could mark a turning point in the Ukraine crisis. If pro-Russian insurgents are found to be responsible, the incident could provide a chance for Putin to disengage from his increasingly uncontrollable allies in east Ukraine. (FRANCE 24 with AP)
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