MOSCOW (Sputnik), Svetlana Alexandrova — Russia’s veto of a UN proposal that would have created a tribunal to prosecute those behind the MH17 downing was a defensive act as Moscow senses the growing belligerence of Western nations at the UN table, French lawmaker Nicolas Dhuicq told Sputnik on Friday.
"I think that Russia is acting in a defensive way because Russia is alone against the other countries that are hostile towards Russia," Dhuicq said.
Western countries have pinned the blame for the crash on eastern Ukrainian militia, who West believe were armed by Moscow. The militia claim that they did not, and still do not, have a weapon capable of bringing down a plane flying at 30,000 feet.
"The main question is why these states very quickly accused Russia without any proof. I believe that they are doing so because they want to start a war," the lawmaker continued.
The crash of the Malaysia Airline plane provoked a major escalation in tensions between Russia and Ukraine’s Western allies.