Moscow rejects call from Paris and Berlin to release Ukrainians seamen

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron's request for the release of Ukrainian sailors detained in Russia are unacceptable, Russian Foreign Ministry says in a statement released on its website Saturday .

On November 25, Russian forces boarded in the Kerch Strait, which separates the Black Sea from the Sea of Azov, three Ukrainian vessels that they claim have illegally crossed the sea border. The 24 Ukrainian seamen who were on board were transferred to Moscow.

In a joint statement, Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron call for their "immediate and unconditional" release. "They too must be able to spend the holidays with their families," he adds.

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