Indeed, not so fast blaming ATC solely... (approx. timestamps on the Liveatc track)
Every error chain starts somewhere. Just culture, learning lessons and all that, using ICAO standard phraseologies when handling an international flight would go a long way ... applying exquisite judgement to avoid displays of exquisite skill.
Use of open English language, in its indefinite alternating forms, will be one day marked as an officially recognized threat. And I cry in despair; that chapter in PANS-ATM is what, 11 pages long? Pretty large font too.
It is a pet hate of mine. Subjectively there's a bit of sympathy for the crews (any) to whom R/T lies maybe in a third segment of cognitive priority segment. But ATS must know better.