On the eve of the summit between Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Group of Seven nations said Russia must "account for its role" in the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine.

In a joint statement, the G7 ministers said a joint investigation into the crash had yielded "compelling, significant and deeply disturbing" findings on Russia's involvement, and Moscow must cooperate with efforts to establish truth and justice. 

"We are united in our support of Australia and the Netherlands as they call on Russia to account for its role in this incident and to cooperate fully with the process to establish the truth and achieve justice for the victims of MH17 and their next of kin," the statement said.

Flight MH17 was en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on 17 July 2014 when it was hit, killing all 298 people on board including 27 Australians, which several sources expanded to 38 when passengers with close ties to Australia are included.  Two months ago Dutch investigators said the plane was struck by a Buk surface-to-air missile controlled by Russia’s 53rd Anti-Aircraft Rocket Brigade based in the city of Kursk.