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On 29 December, the Russian Foreign Ministry rejected the demands of the German and French leaders for the release of Ukrainian sailors arrested at the Moscow SIZO.
"Berlin and Paris openly accuse Russia of certain violations of human rights in Crimea, intensifying tensions in the sea of Azov and Kerch Strait, put forward in our address requirements unacceptable ", – said in a request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia.
"With regard to navigation in the Kerch Strait, the Russian side continues to ensure freedom of navigation in this region," – Russian Foreign Ministry's verdzhuye.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin has discussed the request for the release of the seamen of German Chancellor Angela Merkel. However, according to Russian news agencies Peskov, Russia "will act according to Russian legislation".
German Chancellor Angela Merkel met on the evening of December 28 during a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. She called for the second time in a day the release of Ukrainian sailors.
In a joint statement in December, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron called on Russia to guarantee the free and unhindered passage of all ships in the Kerch Strait and immediately release Ukrainian. seamen captured by Russian security forces.
November 25 Russian security forces in the Kerch Strait opened fire on Ukrainian ships seized them and 24 members of their crews. Three sailors were injured. All enthusiastic Ukrainians are detained in a SIZO in Moscow. The Ukrainian authorities recognize their prisoners of war.
Russia's actions in the Kerch Strait are the subject of criticism in a number of European countries and the United States. NATO said they were closely following the developments in the Kerch Strait and called for restraint and de-escalation of tension.
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