Foreign Minister Sends Condolences To MH17 Families

Foreign Minister Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson, who was visiting Ukraine yesterday to discuss the ongoing conflict and possible energy cooperation, has sent his condolences to the families of passengers on MH17.

Yesterday, a Malaysian airliner carrying 295 people crashed in east Ukraine on a flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, amid unverified allegations that it was shot down by Russian separatists.

— Gunnar Bragi (@GunnarBragiS) July 17, 2014

During his meeting with the newly elected president, Gunnar Bragi and Poroshenko discussed the importance of reaching a ceasefire and that stakeholders sit at the negotiating table. So far Russian separatists in Eastern Ukraine have declined all offers to do so and it is uncertain how the situation will play out in the aftermath of this attack.

In a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the minister reiterated that the annexation of Crimea by Russia is in breach with international law. “It is in the interest of Iceland that international law is always adhered to. That is why developments in Ukraine in recent months matter to us,” the Minister said.