god knows i'm not a supporter of putin but i don't think it's fair to pin the blame for the tragedy of flight MH17 on russia just yet. there has been a lot of finger-pointing (from everyone, russians included) during this complicated situation--all in the absence of real evidence one way or the other. all we know for certain is that the airplane went down over donetsk and, obviously, this only points to the rebels without being conclusive proof of russian involvement. i'm hoping that impartial international observers can put this to rest and i'd like to see a full investigation before any further diplomatic steps are taken. (on the subject of "evidence," i've been ignoring all "recorded conversations" released to the media because both sides seem to be issuing competing recordings within hours or days of each other.)

i will repeat what i've been saying all along: the rebels have behaved suspiciously in denying access to the crash site, contaminating the scene, deleting twitter posts that claim to have downed a plane in the vicinity around the same time (mom, dad, is this being reported on vremya?), etc. and putin--if he really wanted to assert innocence and so on--should have demonstrated goodwill and condolence, if nothing else, by making an immediate public appeal to the rebels, who clearly look to russia for guidance (whether or not they are financed/armed by the latter is irrelevant in the matter of statements).

but none of this is conclusive proof of anything and kerry has been somehow irresponsible in his accusations.

aside: there is an informative article here about what the russian media are saying. (mom, dad, a challenge: find me dissenting voices in major russian papers. i'm going to point out that western media did report the results of a preliminary investigation, which noted that there does not appear to be evidence of russian involvement)