Poroshenko calls on Merkel to increase pressure on Russia to release Ukrainian hostages

President Petro Poroshenko has held a phone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the president’s press service has reported.
"In the context of the consideration by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in Hamburg of the issue of the release of 24 Ukrainian sailors, special attention was paid to putting more pressure on Moscow to accelerate the release of all Ukrainian hostages illegally detained by Russia," reads the report.

The parties also discussed the development of the situation in Donbas in view of Russia's recent provocative actions.

It is noted that Poroshenko called on Berlin to support the strengthening of sanctions against Moscow in response to so-called passport decrees.

At the same time, the head of the Ukrainian state thanked the German leader for the special attention to the situation in Ukraine, especially its support in restoring Ukraine’s territorial integrity and carrying out reforms.

In turn, Angela Merkel noted the transparency and competitiveness of the electoral process in Ukraine, as well as the personal role of Petro Poroshenko in the democratic election and the implementation of reforms in Ukraine over the past five years.

The German Chancellor said she hopes that the new leadership of Ukraine will adhere to the principle of continuity in foreign policy, in particular, with regard to the EU and the development of the Ukrainian-German strategic partnership.

Merkel also assured that Ukraine would remain at the center of EU and German policy.