Former Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) accused the U.S. government of "hiding" the truth behind the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, which crashed in eastern Ukraine last month.

"The U.S. government has grown strangely quiet on the accusation that it was Russia or her allies that brought down the Malaysian airliner with a Buk anti-aircraft missile," Paul said on his news website Thursday.

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U.S. officials believe the plane was brought down by a missile likely fired by pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board. The U.S. and Europe have slapped tougher sanctions on Moscow for providing the rebels with weaponry and assistance.

Paul, though, questioned that account and said the U.S. could be more forthcoming with information.

"It’s hard to believe that the U.S., with all of its spy satellites available for monitoring everything in Ukraine, that precise proof of who did what and when is not available," the former lawmaker and GOP presidential contender said.

"Too bad we can’t count on our government to just tell us the truth and show us the evidence," Paul added. "I’m convinced that it knows a lot more than it’s telling us."

Paul is the father of Sen. Rand Paul Randal (Rand) Howard PaulSecond GOP senator to quarantine after exposure to coronavirus GOP senator to quarantine after coronavirus exposure The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by National Industries for the Blind - Trump seeks to flip 'Rage' narrative; Dems block COVID-19 bill MORE (R-Ky.), who has said he is weighing a 2016 bid for president. The younger Paul has faced criticism from other Republicans over some of his foreign policy views.

After the crash, Ron Paul initially suggested the U.S. was partly responsible for the downed plane and accused Western media and the government of spreading "propaganda."