Germany Working on Release of Hostages in Ukraine

World Today

The hostage crisis in eastern Ukraine continues. Seven observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) are still being held by pro-independence militia in their stronghold of Slavyansk.

Four observers are German nationals, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel says her government is trying “all diplomatic channels possible” to secure their release. Merkel told reporters Wednesday her government’s efforts include direct contact with Russia, in the hope leaders in Moscow can use their influence to persuade the eastern opposition to release the hostages.

The chancellor says “we have been in touch with the Russian president via the presidential adviser — from there we hear that there are efforts” being made to help. She said she couldn’t elaborate. CCTV’s Kate Parkinson reports from Slavyansk.

Follow Kate Parkinson on Twitter: @katecctvnews

Germany Working on Release of Hostages

he hostage crisis in east Ukraine continues. Seven observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe are still being held by pro-independence militia in their stronghold of Slavyansk. Four observers are German nationals and German Chancellor Angela Merkel says her government is trying "all diplomatic channels possible" to secure their release.CCTV's Kate Parkinson reports from Slavyansk.