The United Nations Security Council has unanimously approved an international probe of MH17's crash in eastern Ukraine. (Getty Images)
Monday, all 15 council members passed the Australian-proposed measure calling for a full-scale, independent investigation into the downed Malaysian airliner. It also demands international access to the site from pro-Russia separatists and ordered that nothing at the crash site be tampered with. (Via Sky News, The Telegraph)
The vote comes after the international community tried to pressure Russia into securing access to the crash site. Russia has close ties with the pro-Russia separatists who control the area where the plane went down.
But talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin ultimately went nowhere, which lead several diplomats to push back. (Getty Images)
Including U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Samantha Power, who blasted Russia's silence after the crash. "Russia's muteness over the dark days between Thursday and today sent a message to the illegal armed groups it supports. We have your backs." (ViaFox News)
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop also said Russia should use its leverage with pro-Russian separates to aid international efforts. (Getty Images)
"There must be a ceasefire in the immediate area around the site. ... The victims must be treated with dignity, brought back to their homes and laid to rest. Russia must use its influence over the separatists to ensure this." (Via Government of Australia)
Regardless, rebels in Ukraine have at least shown some signs of cooperation.
Voice of America reports the separatists allowed the victim's bodies to be transferred from the rebel-held town of Torez over to Ukrainian-controlled Kharkiv. From there international officers expected to move most of them back to the Netherlands — the country with the most causalities in the crash.
Vladmir Putin also said Monday he was doing everything in his power so investigators could gain access to the wreckage.