Germany, France press Russia to free Ukrainian sailors 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

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."