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MH17 crash: UK warns Russia of tougher sanctions MH17 crash: UK warns Russia of tougher sanctions
(35 minutes later)
Britain will push to tighten sanctions against Russia unless Moscow's position on the Malaysia Airlines crash changes, the foreign secretary has said.Britain will push to tighten sanctions against Russia unless Moscow's position on the Malaysia Airlines crash changes, the foreign secretary has said.
Philip Hammond warned the UK would seek to persuade the EU "to go further in terms of sanctions", ahead of a meeting of foreign ministers on Tuesday.Philip Hammond warned the UK would seek to persuade the EU "to go further in terms of sanctions", ahead of a meeting of foreign ministers on Tuesday.
Ukraine and pro-Russian rebels have accused each other of shooting down the Boeing 777, killing 298 passengers.Ukraine and pro-Russian rebels have accused each other of shooting down the Boeing 777, killing 298 passengers.
The Russian ambassador to the UK said sanctions would have a negative effect.The Russian ambassador to the UK said sanctions would have a negative effect.
'Obfuscation and obstruction''Obfuscation and obstruction'
Ten Britons were among those killed when the plane was downed on Thursday over eastern Ukraine.Ten Britons were among those killed when the plane was downed on Thursday over eastern Ukraine.
Emergency workers at the scene say they have found 196 bodies at the crash site.Emergency workers at the scene say they have found 196 bodies at the crash site.
Mr Hammond said the "unavoidable conclusion" was that the plane had been downed by a missile fired from rebel-held territory, "almost certainly a missile supplied by the Russians".Mr Hammond said the "unavoidable conclusion" was that the plane had been downed by a missile fired from rebel-held territory, "almost certainly a missile supplied by the Russians".
Western countries have criticised restrictions imposed by rebels at the crash site, and Mr Hammond urged Moscow to put pressure on them to allow more access. Western countries have criticised pro-Russia rebels for restricting access to the crash site.
"What we're seeing from the Russians is obfuscation and obstruction at the moment..." he told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show."What we're seeing from the Russians is obfuscation and obstruction at the moment..." he told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show.
"What we need is full Russian co-operation; any evidence they control needs to be turned over to the international investigators. They must use their influence to allow international access to the site to secure the evidence and secure respect for the bodies and the possessions of the victims.""What we need is full Russian co-operation; any evidence they control needs to be turned over to the international investigators. They must use their influence to allow international access to the site to secure the evidence and secure respect for the bodies and the possessions of the victims."
He added: "There is one party in the world who clearly has the ability to snap his fingers and it would be done and that is [Russian President] Vladimir Putin." Mr Hammond, who will chair a meeting of the government's Cobra emergency committee later, added: "There is one party in the world who clearly has the ability to snap his fingers and it would be done and that is [Russian President] Vladimir Putin."
Prime Minister David Cameron, meanwhile, tweeted: "Just spoken to [German leader] Chancellor Merkel. Both of us are concerned by limited access to the #MH17 site. Putin must do more."Prime Minister David Cameron, meanwhile, tweeted: "Just spoken to [German leader] Chancellor Merkel. Both of us are concerned by limited access to the #MH17 site. Putin must do more."
Mr Cameron, Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte and Australian prime minister Tony Abbott have already agreed to increase pressure at the UN Security Council on Monday for investigators to access the site.Mr Cameron, Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte and Australian prime minister Tony Abbott have already agreed to increase pressure at the UN Security Council on Monday for investigators to access the site.
Germany has so far rejected tougher sanctions against Moscow, but Mr Hammond said he would discuss the issue with his German counterpart later.Germany has so far rejected tougher sanctions against Moscow, but Mr Hammond said he would discuss the issue with his German counterpart later.
He said "some of our European allies have been less enthusiastic" in the past about dealing with Russia over its involvement in Ukraine, adding: "I hope that the shock of this incident will see them now more engaged, more willing to take the actions which are necessary to bring home to the Russians that when you do this kind of thing there are consequences."He said "some of our European allies have been less enthusiastic" in the past about dealing with Russia over its involvement in Ukraine, adding: "I hope that the shock of this incident will see them now more engaged, more willing to take the actions which are necessary to bring home to the Russians that when you do this kind of thing there are consequences."
The US and EU had already brought in sanctions against Russia over its involvement in the Ukraine crisis - and these were increased shortly before the plane was downed. The US and EU had already brought in sanctions against Russia over its involvement in Ukraine - and these were increased shortly before the plane was downed.
Tougher sanctions could include further travel bans on individuals or the freezing of assets, said BBC News political correspondent Gary O'Donoghue. Analysis, Theo Leggett, business reporter, BBC News
But a source did not rule out the idea of economic sanctions, our correspondent said. The EU is Russia's biggest trading partner, so if it had the will, Brussels could inflict considerable economic damage on Moscow. But Europe would also feel the pain.
Russian Ambassador Alexander Yakovenko said it would "only encourage the Ukrainian authorities to continue violence". That's why European sanctions so far have been measured, largely targeting individuals with asset freezes and visa bans.
The energy market is crucial. Europe gets about a third of its gas from Russia. If the EU bought less Russian gas, it would certainly harm the country's economy, which is very reliant on sales of natural resources.
But replacing those supplies would be very difficult in the short term, and expensive. Likewise, there is a risk that Russia could retaliate against sanctions in other areas by restricting gas exports.
Britain also has a great deal to lose if sanctions are tightened. Russia is a significant buyer of UK exports. Oil giant BP owns 20% of Russian energy firm Rosneft, which also benefits pension funds which have invested in BP.
London is a prime destination for Russian businesses seeking investors and capital, providing lucrative fees for banks, consultants and lawyers, and Russian oligarchs own large chunks of prime London real estate.
Russian Ambassador Alexander Yakovenko said increasing sanctions further would "only encourage the Ukrainian authorities to continue violence".
Six UK air accident investigators have been sent to the region and experts from the Metropolitan Police are due to arrive in Ukraine on Sunday to assist with identifying and recovering the bodies of those killed.Six UK air accident investigators have been sent to the region and experts from the Metropolitan Police are due to arrive in Ukraine on Sunday to assist with identifying and recovering the bodies of those killed.
All 10 British victims believed to have been on board have now been identified. The final victim is understood to be former RAF search and rescue co-ordinator Stephen Anderson, 44.All 10 British victims believed to have been on board have now been identified. The final victim is understood to be former RAF search and rescue co-ordinator Stephen Anderson, 44.
One of the British victims - John Allen, 44 - died alongside his wife Sandra and sons Christopher, Julian and Ian - who are listed in the passenger list as having Dutch nationality - his law firm said.One of the British victims - John Allen, 44 - died alongside his wife Sandra and sons Christopher, Julian and Ian - who are listed in the passenger list as having Dutch nationality - his law firm said.
Fifty-nine-year-old banker Andrew Hoare also died, along with his Dutch wife and their two children, Jasper, 15, and Friso, 12.Fifty-nine-year-old banker Andrew Hoare also died, along with his Dutch wife and their two children, Jasper, 15, and Friso, 12.
The family, who lived in Luxembourg but made frequent visits to England, had been on their way to Malaysia for a holiday.The family, who lived in Luxembourg but made frequent visits to England, had been on their way to Malaysia for a holiday.
His brother Hugo said Somerset-born Mr Hoare was a "devoted family man".His brother Hugo said Somerset-born Mr Hoare was a "devoted family man".
"He's one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. His smile could light up a room," he said."He's one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. His smile could light up a room," he said.
The families are believed to have died along with Britons Robert Ayley, John Alder, Liam Sweeney, Glenn Thomas, Richard Mayne, Ben Pocock, and Cameron Dalziel, who was born in Zimbabwe but travelling on a British passport.The families are believed to have died along with Britons Robert Ayley, John Alder, Liam Sweeney, Glenn Thomas, Richard Mayne, Ben Pocock, and Cameron Dalziel, who was born in Zimbabwe but travelling on a British passport.