Vice President Biden Opens Political Conference With Remarks On Downed Malaysian Plane In Ukraine
DETROIT (WWJ) - American intelligence officials now believe a surface-to-air missile took down the Malaysian Airlines plane over eastern Ukraine Thursday, killing all 298 passengers and crew on board the flight.
Ukraine's government and pro-Russia separatists both deny any involvement.
Appearing in Detroit for a political conference at Cobo Center's Riverfront Ballroom, Vice President Joe Biden said many "unanswered questions" remain.
"This is truly a grave situation," said Biden. "Apparently shot down, not an accident. Blown out of the sky."
Biden made the comments in Detroit as he began his remarks to a group of information technology students at Wayne County Community College.
"Nearly 300 souls have been lost, the families need consolation and our prayers ..."
Biden promised America's full support and said it was of primary importance to determine if any Americans were on board the targeted aircraft.
"We see reports that there may have been American citizens on board, and obviously that's our first concern," Biden added.
"I offered President Poroshenko our expertise, our national transportation safety group and other experts in the community, he accepted that help and they will be on their way rapidly to see if we can get to the bottom of this."