BEIJING, July 18 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has reacted to the crash of a Malaysian airliner in Ukraine during a meeting with his top economic advisers. The Kremlin leader called the crash a tragedy but did not say who brought the Boeing 777 down. He blamed the plane deaths on the war in Ukraine. Putin also said Russia would provide all necessary assistance in the investigation of this crime.

"We, on behalf of the Russian authorities and on behalf of the government of the Russian Federation, express condolences to the bereaved families and to the governments of those countries whose nationals were on that plane. I ask you to honor their memory." "In this regard, I want to emphasize that this tragedy would not have happened if there were peace on that land, and in any case, if the military activities had not resumed in the southeast of Ukraine." Said Vladimir Putin, Russian President.