British PM raises prospect of more Russia sanctions

LONDON: British Prime Minister David Cameron raised the prospect Saturday of fresh EU sanctions against Russia over the Malaysian plane crash, saying the West must "fundamentally change our approach" unless Moscow alters course in Ukraine.

"Russia can use this moment to find a path out of this festering, dangerous crisis. I hope it will do so. But if that does not happen then we must respond robustly," he wrote in an article in the Sunday Times.

Cameron said that if it was confirmed that MH17 was downed by a surface-to-air missile fired from an area held by pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine, then Moscow should be held accountable.

"If it is the case, then we must be clear what it means: this is a direct result of Russia destabilising a sovereign state, violating its territorial integrity, backing thuggish militias, and training and arming them," Cameron wrote.

"We must turn this moment of outrage into a moment of action. Action to find those who committed this crime and bring them to justice.

But this goes much wider than justice."The prime minister continued: "If President Putin does not change his approach on Ukraine, then Europe and the West must fundamentally change our approach to Russia.

"This is not about military action, plainly. But it is time to make our power, influence and resources count."