The federal government has charged Russia with having direct involvement in the downing of Malaysian flight MH17, in a significant hardening of Canberra's position after the latest findings from the Joint Investigation Team which is probing the tragedy.

In a statement issued late on Friday, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Attorney-General Christian Porter pointed to the "significant" finding of the Dutch-led JIT that a BUK missile system belonging to the 53rd Brigade of the Russian Army brought the plane down on July 17, 2014.

"Based on these findings, the only conclusion we can reasonably now draw is that Russia was directly involved," they said.

"This evening Australia and the Netherlands notified the Russian Federation that we hold it responsible for its role in the downing. We have requested negotiations to open dialogue around the circumstances leading to the tragic loss of innocent lives."