Obama in Calls to Rutte, Abbott over MH17 Crash Site

U.S. President Barack Obama joined with the leaders of Australia and the Netherlands on Thursday to demand full access to the crash site of flight MH17.

Speaking in telephone calls with Australia Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte, the leaders agreed to work for a full investigation into the shooting down of the Malaysia Airlines jet last week.

Obama and Abbott agreed that a "prompt, full, unimpeded and transparent international investigation is an imperative," a White House statement said.

"They expressed their resolve to push for full, immediate and secure access for international investigators to the crash site."

In a separate call with Rutte, Obama offered his condolences to the Dutch victims of the disaster.

"The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to assure that the crash site is properly secured, that all remains are found and returned home, and that a full, transparent and unhindered international investigation can proceed," the White House said.

Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 was shot down with 298 people on board a week ago over rebel-held territory in eastern Ukraine in as-yet unexplained circumstances.