UK minister warns: ‘The world’s eyes will be on Russia’ in the wake of MH17 disaster

World leaders are united in their fight to push Russia to cooperate with the investigation into the MH17 plane crash that claimed the lives of 298 passengers and crew, including at least 28 Australians.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott refused to rule out banning Russian president Vladimir Putin from attending the G20 summit in Australia.

He had the backing of opposition leader Bill Shorten.

“If the Russian federation doesn’t cooperate, and help us get to the bottom of this senseless act of murder, then the government should indeed consider not inviting the Russian president Putin to Australia,” he said.

British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said it seemed increasingly likely that separatists had shot down the Malaysia Airlines plane.

“We're not getting enough support from the Russians, we're not seeing Russia using their influence effectively enough to get the separatists, who are in control of the site, to allow the access that we need,” he said.

“This is not about Russia and the West - this is about the whole community demanding that the proper access is made available to this site, the victims are properly recovered and evidence is secured.

“The world's eyes will be on Russia to see if she delivers on her obligations in the next couple of hours.”

Mr Hammond said the government “demanded” Russians cooperate with the investigation.