Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Ukraine is the reason for the Malaysia Airlines passenger plane’s crash on Thursday in Ukraine, reported the RIA Novosti news agency of Russia.

“The country, in whose territory it happened, certainly bears responsibility for this terrible tragedy,” Putin said.

In the Russian president’s words, “The tragedy would not have occurred had there been peace in that region, had the battles not have resumed in southeastern Ukraine.”

Vladimir Putin also ordered the Russian government to do everything possible to get an unbiased picture of the disaster.