WASHINGTON — The attack on Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 is forcing reluctant European leaders to acknowledge the threat the conflict in Ukraine poses to the continent.
Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, which has close economic ties to Russia, called for an independent investigation and urged Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday to “find ways to reach a permanent cease-fire” in Ukraine.
“Russia is responsible for what is happening in Ukraine at the moment,” she argued, but said it was too early to decide whether to ratchet up sanctions further.
British Prime Minister David Cameron called the attack an “absolutely appalling, shocking, horrific incident” that “cannot be allowed to stand.” His spokesman said it is “increasingly likely that MH17 was shot down by a separatist missile.”
In the Netherlands, home to more than half the victims, grief was giving way to anger.
“If this proves to be an attack, then I will personally see the perpetrators will be tracked down and get the punishment they deserve,” said Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
Ukraine blames pro-Russian separatists for the attack, and President Obama said the US is confident the missile that struck the plane came from separatist-controlled territory.
Putin told his ministers that Ukraine was responsible, arguing the tragedy wouldn’t have happened if its pro-Russian regime hadn’t been overthrown.