“We can't let our emotions cloud our judgment but nevertheless these are wrenching times and there would hardly be an Australian who hasn't been emotionally touched by what we've seen, what we've felt over the last 48 hours or so,” he said. “You look at the faces of the dead and they're your neighbours, they're your friends, they could be your kids because let's face it, we are a people who like to travel and my own daughters flew on MH17 some months ago on their way home from Europe. So this is a tragedy which touches us deeply.” Mr Abbott summonsed Russian Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev, who was in Sydney for preliminary G20 discussions, to a meeting on Saturday after attempts to speak with more senior Russian officials were rebuffed. Mr Abbott confirmed on Sunday that he has not spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin and that Russia's foreign minister has still not accepted Foreign Minister Julie Bishop's request to speak to him on the telephone.

“I made crystal clear my concerns and dissatisfaction with the way this has been handled,” Mr Abbott told the ABC's Insiders program. “Russian-controlled territory, Russian-backed rebels, quite likely a Russian-supplied weapon: Russia can't wash its hands of this. “My fear is that Russia will say the right thing but that on the ground interference with the site, interference with investigators, interference with the dignified treatment of bodies will continue. “That's my fear.” Mr Abbott said the crash site in eastern Ukraine is so chaotic that it is unclear who is removing bodies from the scene and where they are being taken. Russia can't wash its hands of this.

Mr Abbott said two attempts by investigators to access the site had been hampered by pro-Russian separatists – including one attempt that was stopped by gunfire. There have also been reports of looting at the crash site, raising doubts about whether important evidence, such as black boxes, can be secured. “No one is really in charge,” Mr Abbott said. “It's absolutely chaotic … The kinds of things that would normally be happening in an air crash site are simply not happening and this just makes it absolutely imperative that Australia do everything we can to recover the bodies to ensure that the site is secured, a proper investigation is done and then justice is secured." Mr Abbott said Ukranian President Petro Poroshenko had invited Australia to participate in an investigation into the disaster and be part of the body recovery operation. Loading

Mr Abbott said there would be a commemorative service for the victims in around a fortnight – after the families of those who have died have been consulted. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop is flying to the United States to push for a binding UN Security Council resolution demanding a full and independent investigation. She will also travel to Washington to meet with security and intelligence experts.