Germany, France press Russia to free Ukrainian sailors

By Abbey Westbury
December 28 2018 04:21 AM

CP1861096739 — German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks during a media conference at the conclusion of an EU summit in Brussels, Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. European Union leaders expressed deep doubts Friday that British Prime Minister Theresa May can live up to her side of their Brexit agreement and they vowed to step up preparations for a potentially-catastrophic no-deal scenario. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

BERLIN – The leaders of Germany and France are pressing Russia to release Ukrainian sailors captured over a month ago in time for the new year and Orthodox Christmas.

In a joint statement Friday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron also vowed to keep up pressure to implement a 2015 peace deal for eastern Ukraine.

The long-simmering conflict between Russia and Ukraine that started with Russia’s annexation of Crimea escalated Nov. 25 when the Russian coast guard fired upon and seized three Ukrainian naval vessels and their crews.

In Friday’s statement, Merkel and Macron renewed calls for the “safe, free and unhindered passage of all ships” through the Kerch Strait that separates Crimea from mainland Russia and urged the “immediate and unconditional release of all illegally detained Ukrainian sailors.”

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