German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron have issued a joint statement regarding the Ukrainian sailors captured by the Russian Federation. This is reported by Ukrayinska Pravda with reference to Reuters.
It is noted that the leaders of Germany and France demanded that Russia immediately release the captured sailors.
"We demand safe, free and unimpeded transit for all ships through the Kerch Strait and the immediate and unconditional release of all illegally detained Ukrainian seafarers", - the statement said.
"They should also be able to celebrate the upcoming holidays with their families", - Merkel and Macron added.
Also, the leaders of Germany and France expressed concern over the situation in the annexed Crimea. "The situation with human rights in Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in violation of international law, use of military force by Russia in the Kerch Strait and insulting governance in the Sea of Azov, are also a source of great concern for us", - the statement said.