1. Journalists surrounding German Chancellor Angela Merkel at news conference
2. Merkel surrounded by journalists
3. SOUNDBITE (German) Angela Merkel, German Chancellor:
"There are many, many indications that the plane was shot down. That's why we have to take the incident very seriously. The situation has once more shown that we need a political solution and Russia has a great responsibility in this process. I am calling very clearly, again, for the Russian President (Vladimir Putin) and the Russian government to make their contribution to finding political solutions."
4. Merkel during news conference
5. SOUNDBITE (German) Angela Merkel, German Chancellor:
"Now we need an independent investigation to start as soon as possible. For that a ceasefire is necessary. Those responsible, whoever they are, must be brought to account."
German Chancellor Angela Merkel called for a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine on Friday to ensure those responsible for shooting down a passenger aircraft are brought to account.
"Russia has a great responsibility in this process. I am calling very clearly, again, for the Russian President (Vladimir Putin) and the Russian government to make their contribution to finding political solutions," she said.
Separatist rebels who control the area where the Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was brought down, killing 298 people, said they had recovered most of its black boxes and were considering what to do with them.
