MH17: Europe must hit Russia hard with sanctions, says David Cameron

In his strongest intervention since the Malaysia Airlines disaster, which killed 298 people, the Prime Minister compares Russia’s aggression to that of Nazi Germany

Malaysia Arilines flight MH17, which crashed during flying over the eastern Ukraine region near Donetsk, Ukraine
Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, which crashed over the eastern Ukraine region near Donetsk, Ukraine Credit: Photo: EPA

David Cameron lost patience with Vladimir Putin’s “bluster and obfuscation” on Monday night and called on Europe to impose “hard-hitting sanctions” on Russia after the downing of Flight MH17.

In his strongest intervention since the disaster, which killed 298 people, the Prime Minister invoked the spectre of the Second World War and compared Russia’s aggression to that of Nazi Germany.

He said Russia was facing a “defining moment” in its history and expressed his frustration with European Union countries, including France and Germany, which have failed to back his calls for the toughest possible sanctions against Moscow.

Calling on European countries to halt all arms sales to Russia, Mr Cameron singled out France and said it should be “unthinkable” for it to fulfil an order for Mistral warships from Mr Putin’s military commanders.

Mr Cameron is calling for an array of tough sanctions, including restrictions on Russian banks and airlines and asset freezes on the “oligarchs and cronies” who support Mr Putin.

In a robust statement to Parliament, Mr Cameron said that Britain may be forced to “fundamentally change our approach to Russia”. He said: “President Putin faces a clear choice in how he decides to respond to this appalling tragedy.

“I hope he will use this moment to find a path out of this festering and dangerous crisis by ending Russia’s support for the separatists.

“If he does not change his approach to Ukraine in this then Europe and the West must fundamentally change our approach to Russia. Those of us in Europe should not need to be reminded of the consequences of turning a blind eye when big countries bully smaller countries.”

In other developments:

· President Barack Obama accused Russian-backed separatists of “trying to hide” evidence at the Malaysia Airlines crash site.

· A train containing the bodies of about 280 victims was allowed to leave a rebel-held train station four days after the attack.

· Five people were killed by shelling in the rebel stronghold of Donetsk, 40 miles from the site.

· Ukraine claimed that pro-Russian rebels had tampered with the black box flight recorders retrieved from Flight MH17 as the separatists prepared to hand over the devices.

· A senior Moscow defence ministry official denied that Russia had supplied the rebels in eastern Ukraine with any “missile systems or any other kinds of weapons”.

· Russia repeated suggestions that MH17 had been downed by a Ukrainian military plane.

Philip Hammond, the Foreign Secretary, will on Tuesday use an EU summit to push for tough “Tier 3” sanctions against Russia that could cover areas such as financial services, trade and energy exports.

There are growing concerns that the strongest-possible sanctions will be blocked by EU member states because of French arms sales as well as German dependence on fossil fuels from Russia.

George Osborne, the Chancellor, on Monday conceded that there could be a short-term impact to Britain’s economy but said the sanctions were vital to the country’s long-term security. Mr Cameron, in a stark warning to Europe, said that any “reluctance” to impose sanctions would be unacceptable.

“It is time to make our power, influence and resources felt,” he said. “If Russia does not change course then we must be clear Europe must keep increasing the pressure.

“Russia cannot expect to continue enjoying access to European markets, European capital, European knowledge and technical expertise while she fuels conflict in one of Europe’s neighbours. We must do what is necessary to stand up to Russia and put an end to the conflict in Ukraine before any more innocent lives are lost.”

Downing Street sources last night would not rule out sanctions against wealthy London-based oligarchs, including Roman Abramovich, the owner of Chelsea FC.

The Prime Minister condemned France’s plans to continue with a €1.2 billion (£950 million) sale of warships to Russia. Germany, France and Italy are responsible for 90 per cent of defence exports to Russia, MPs were told.

Mr Cameron said: “We have already unilaterally, as have the US, said that we would not sell further arms to Russia. We believe other European countries should be doing the same thing. Frankly in this country it would be unthinkable to fulfil an order like the one outstanding that the French have. But we need to put the pressure on with all our partners to say that we cannot go on doing business as usual with a country when it’s behaving in this way.”

The US has also urged the French to suspend the Mistral deal. “The Americans are absolutely furious about the French still training Russian military personnel,” said a diplomatic source.

Mr Cameron also called on Mr Putin to use his influence over the separatists to ensure access to the crash site for experts seeking to repatriate the bodies of the victims.

Mr Cameron wore a black tie in the Commons as he expressed his condolences to bereaved families. He said: “Alongside sympathy for the victims, there is also anger.”

He rejected claims by Russia that Ukrainian forces may have fired the surface-to-air missile that hit the Malaysian plane at 33,000 feet.

Mr Obama said: “We have to make sure the truth is out and accountability exists.

“President Putin says that he supports a full and fair investigation, and I appreciate those words, but they have to be supported by actions.”

The UN Security Council adopted a resolution demanding full access for investigators to the crash site.

David Cameron promises swift action over Russian arms embargo