John Christensen, right, a senior Sgt. in the Danish army and his colleague, both members of a group of foreign military observers are escorted by a pro-Russian militant to attend a press conference in the city hall of Slovyansk, eastern Ukraine, Sunday, April 27, 2014. As Western governments vowed to impose more sanctions against Russia and its supporters in eastern Ukraine, a group of foreign military observers remained in captivity Saturday accused of being NATO spies by a pro-Russian insurgency. The German-led, eight-member team was traveling under the auspices of the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe when they were detained Friday. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
April 27, 2014 - 11:19 AM
BERLIN - Germany's foreign minister has condemned as "revolting" the appearance under armed guard of eight European military observers being held prisoner by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.
Frank-Walter Steinmeier says the appearance of the observers in front of reporters in the eastern city of Slovyansk was "a breach of all the rules" and violated the men's dignity.
Steinmeier's statement Sunday came as the pro-Russia insurgents released one of the prisoners to representatives of the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe.
Steinmeier called on Russia to pressure the separatists into releasing all of the prisoners "as soon as possible."
News from © The Associated Press, 2014