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The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) expressed support late Tuesday for Ukraine amid its deepening crisis with Russia in the latest escalation of their four-year conflict.
"There is no justification for Russia's use of military force against Ukrainian ships and naval personnel. We call on Russia to release the Ukrainian sailors and ships it seized without delay," the military alliance said in a statement.
NATO said Russian violence against Ukrainian vessels and sailors is unacceptable.
"In view of Russia's use of military force against Ukraine near the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait, NATO Allies call on Russia to ensure unhindered access to Ukrainian ports and allow freedom of navigation," the statement said.
Russia and Ukraine must aim to scale back tensions in the wake of Russia's capture of three Ukrainian ships, said French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Tuesday."We want all sides to show restraint," Le Drian told reporters at a briefing after talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.Over the weekend, Russia captured three Ukrainian naval ships and took their crew prisoner, which in turn led to Ukraine imposing martial law this week for 30 days in parts of the country most vulnerable to an attack from Russia.Le Drian said he had asked Russia to make a gesture in releasing the Ukrainian boats and sailors.He added he would call his Ukrainian counterpart as part of attempts to de-escalate the situation. At the briefing with Le Drian, Russia's Lavrov described Ukraine's actions as "provocations."Le Drian did not answer, when asked about any new sanctions on Russia or changes to the freedom of naval movement in the region. Video: Russian, French FM meet in Paris over rising Ukraine tensions
France calls on Russia and Ukraine to scale back tensions
"We reiterate our full support to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and territorial waters.”
NATO said it stands with Ukraine and will continue to provide it with political and practical support and monitor the situation.
It also strongly condemned Russia's illegal and illegitimate annexation of Crimea, saying the organization won't recognize the move.
Russia seized two Ukrainian navy ships and a navy tugboat along with 23 crew members Sunday off Crimea, accusing Kiev of entering its waters and provoking a conflict.
It said the vessels had ignored calls to stop, sparking military action.
Russia intervened as the Ukrainian ships were relocating from the Black Sea port of Odessa to the port of Mariupol in the Sea of Azov.
Poland's president said on Tuesday Warsaw would join any international moves to step up sanctions on Russia, after Moscow opened fire on and seized three Ukrainian navy ships near Russian-annexed Crimea over the weekend.The U.S. State Department, the European Union, Britain, France, Denmark, and Canada have all condemned what they called Russian aggression. Moscow accuses the Ukrainian vessels of intruding into its territorial waters on Sunday, which Kiev denies."If there are such international initiatives, like further sanctions (on Russia), Poland will take part in these initiatives, because we are ready for all actions that will lead to solving the conflict," Polish President Andrzej Duda said during a visit to Bulgaria, speaking through a Bulgarian translator. Europe may need to step up sanctions on Russia over Ukraine: Merkel ally
Poland would join any moves to step up Russian sanctions over Ukraine
Videos appeared online showing a Russian coast guard vessel ramming the Ukrainian navy tugboat in the Kerch Strait.
Ukraine also accused Russian warships of opening fire on the ships, asserting that crew members were wounded and the vessels were seized by Russia.
Russia and Ukraine have been at loggerheads since 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea after a controversial referendum.
Turkey, as well as the UN General Assembly, viewed the annexation as illegal.
Ukraine has also blamed Russia for separatist violence in eastern Ukraine near the border with Russia.