DHAKA: Britain on Saturday said Russia was not exerting enough influence over pro-Moscow separatists in eastern Ukraine to get them to allow international access to the Malaysian plane crash site.

Britain foreign secretary Philip Hammond said it seemed increasingly likely that separatists had shot down the Malaysia Airlines plane, killing all 298 people on board.

‘We’re not getting enough support from the Russians, we’re not seeing Russia using their influence effectively enough to get the separatists, who are in control of the site, to allow the access that we need,’ Hammond told reporters, according to The Straits Times.

‘This is not about Russia and the West - this is about the whole community demanding that the proper access is made available to this site, the victims are properly recovered and evidence is secured.’

‘The world’s eyes will be on Russia to see if she delivers on her obligations in the next couple of hours.’

‘We are demanding that the Russians use their influence to ensure that access is granted. That's the only way we can get to the truth and bring those accountable to justice.’

He said it was clear that monitors at the crash site had not been given full access by the separatists, and some areas were not possible to reach at all.

Hammond said Russia’s ambassador to London would be called into the Foreign Office so Britain’s views can be expressed in no uncertain terms.

BDST: 2121 HRS, JUL 19, 2014