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(#GNN) - #SYDNEY: Trade #ministers from the world´s leading economies met in #Sydney Saturday for the latest round of #G20 talks, with the crash of #Malaysia #Airlines Flight MH17 threatening to overshadow the summit.
G20 chair Australia has sought to keep the meeting focused on economic growth, but Thursday´s disaster in rebel-held territory in eastern Ukraine put the spotlight on Russia and its possible links to the separatists.
Australia´s Trade Minister Andrew Robb said he met his Russian counterpart Denis Manturov late Friday to press him on whether his country "would or could stop the separatists with their current activities".
"Australia is looking for an unequivocal Russian assurance that they will fully cooperate with an independent and thorough UN investigation and urgently," Robb told broadcaster Sky News Saturday.
"The Russian trade minister did convey their deep condolences and indicate the government would cooperate with ... (a) UN investigation. "They did not give me an assurance that Russia would or could stop the separatists with their current activities.
"Robb said Canberra may consider trade sanctions against Russia as a result of the crash, which killed 298 people, including 28 Australians, subject to how it "responds, cooperates and is proactive in seeking answers".
Australia, along with several other countries, already has imposed sanctions and travel bans on some Russians and Ukrainians.
Australia´s Trade Minister Andrew Robb said he met his Russian counterpart Denis Manturov late Friday to press him on whether his country "would or could stop the separatists with their current activities".
"Australia is looking for an unequivocal Russian assurance that they will fully cooperate with an independent and thorough UN investigation and urgently," Robb told broadcaster Sky News Saturday.
"The Russian trade minister did convey their deep condolences and indicate the government would cooperate with ... (a) UN investigation. "They did not give me an assurance that Russia would or could stop the separatists with their current activities.
"Robb said Canberra may consider trade sanctions against Russia as a result of the crash, which killed 298 people, including 28 Australians, subject to how it "responds, cooperates and is proactive in seeking answers".
Australia, along with several other countries, already has imposed sanctions and travel bans on some Russians and Ukrainians.
