MH17 Investigators Draw Conclusions Without Probe Formally Over – Russian Envoy

"At the moment, the Prosecutor General's Office of Russia is reviewing two more requests for legal assistance. Why didn't the Joint Investigation Team wait for our response and put forward its theories when the investigation is not formally over?" Lukashevich said at the OSCE Permanent Council meeting.

The diplomat stressed that the calls on Russia to accept responsibility for the MH17 crash were totally absurd.

READ MORE: Moscow: Inappropriate for Australia, Netherlands to Issue Ultimatums Over MH17

"Don't you see the absurdity of these demands yourself? Moreover, let me remind you that nobody is allowed to use the language of ultimatums with respect to Russia!" Lukashevich said.

Last week, the Dutch-led Joint Investigation Team (JIT) said it had concluded that the Buk missile system used to down flight MH17 had belonged to the Russian Armed Forces. On Friday, Australia and the Netherlands said they considered Russia responsible for the downing of aircraft, and requested that Russia enter negotiations on providing guarantees of non-repetition and pay damages to them.

The envoy noted, however, that Russia stood ready to assist the investigation into the incident.