West to Russia: Facilitate access to crash site for international observers

The pressure on Russia is escalating with the west demanding the nation to negotiate with the pro-Russian rebels in Ukraine to allow international observers unhindered access to the Malaysian Airlines' crash site.

According to the BBC, the crash site in Ukraine falls within the Donetsk region and is under the control of rebels who are restricting the movements of the international observers.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has reportedly told Russian President Vladimir Putin that time is running out to show he could help. The flight was carrying 193 Dutch passengers when it went down.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel too has urged Putin to co-operate. Britain and the United States have also pitched in by demanding quick access for international observers to the crash site.

The report quoted British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond as saying that the whole world is watching Russia to see if it delivers on its obligations.

US Secretary of State John Kerry has also conveyed US's concerns to the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov over reports of bodies being removed and tampered with during a conversation with the latter.

Both Ukraine and pro-Russian rebels have accused each other of shooting MH17 which was on way to Kuala Lumpur. The flight was reportedly hit by a surface to air missile during its flight over the Russian border. All the 298 people on board, including passengers and crew members have died.

A complete passenger list released by Malaysian Airlines showed that the plane was carrying 193 Dutch nationals, 43 Malaysians, 27 Australians, 12 Indonesians and 10 Britons, four Germans, four Belgians, three from the Philippines, and one each from Canada and New Zealand.