Merkel calls for release of European observers

German Chancellor Angela Merkel Wednesday called for the release of military observers of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) detained in Ukraine.

At a press conference with visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Berlin, Merkel called for immediate release of the OSCE observers detained last Friday in the eastern Ukrainian city of Slovyansk by pro-Russian protesters, Xinhua reported. Among the detained, four were Germans.

Merkel said Germany was trying "all diplomatic channels" for a solution and urged Russia to "do more" in order to de-escalate the situation in Ukraine.

Western countries have accused Russia of stirring conflicts in Ukraine and threatened economic sanctions against Moscow.

At the press conference Wednesday, Merkel and Abe said G7 countries would cooperate in their Ukraine policies, and were ready for further sanctions against Russia.