BERLIN, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- The German government has called for de-escalation of tensions between Russia and Ukraine in the Sea of Azov.
"The German government calls for restraint and de-escalation and is in contact with both sides on this issue," Steffen Seibert, the government's spokesperson, told the German press agency (DPA) in Berlin on Monday. The events posed "serious questions" to the German government, especially regarding the use of military force, for which no justification would be recognizable so far.
On Sunday, the Ukrainian Navy said that Russian forces opened fire and seized three Ukrainian ships near the Kerch Strait, which separates the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, injuring six Ukrainian military sailors.
However, Russia's Federal Security Service said that the Ukrainian ships breached the Russian border, and conducted dangerous maneuvers in spite of Russia's orders.
Moscow and Kiev are accusing each other over the incident, which further escalated the tensions that have soared since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 following a local referendum that was rejected by Kiev and Western countries.
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told DPA in Madrid that "the developments in the Azov Sea are very alarming. The events that we are now seeing, demonstrate once again that this conflict must finally be resolved." Maas demanded that the "often agreed ceasefire" must be observed at last.
