Former Foreign minister Julie Bishop has expressed relief, after three Russians and a Ukranian were charged with murder over the downing of flight MH17.

It comes five years after the passenger plane was shot out of the sky, killing close to 300 people, including 38 Australians.

Ms Bishop spoke with Gareth Parker about the significance of the charges.

Gareth also turned to Associate Professor of National Security and Strategic Studies at Curtin University, Alexey Muraviev, for his expertise on what the charges could mean for geopolitics in the region.

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