Malaysia Airlines flight MH17: Russia rejects calls for 'UN-style' tribunal

Russia opposes plans to create an international tribunal to investigate the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 crash in east Ukraine in which 298 people were killed.

Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said Dutch suggestions to form an international tribunal to establish the reason for the crash were "untimely and counterproductive", Russia Today reported.

On 24 June, Dutch officials told Reuters they were planning on seeking support for a UN-style court to bring those responsible for downing the passenger plane to justice. Without Russian cooperation, though, the chances of the tribunal being formed appear slim.

The West alleges the plane, which was travelling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down by separatist militants using a Russian Buk surface-to-air missile. Moscow denies the charges and alleges Ukrainian involvement in bringing the plane down.

"A UN tribunal is the best option. We expect that it will provide the greatest chance of cooperation from all countries involved," a senior Dutch official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

A multinational investigation into the cause of the crash is under way, with the suspects to be named later in 2015.