U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker has said the United States and Europe could strengthen sanctions against Russia or introduce new ones due to the seizure of Ukrainian sailors and ships, the U.S. government-funded Voice of America has reported.

Some of our European allies talked about new sanctions or the strengthening of existing sanctions. I think this is a worthy idea, we will consider it, Volker said.

He noted that Russia should release the captured Ukrainian sailors and the ship as a gesture of goodwill before the holidays.

They were unreasonably attacked in open waters, arrested. They (Russians) must resort to de-escalate the situation and return them, he said, adding that maintaining attention on the fate of the Ukrainian sailors should contribute to their release.

Do not forget about them, so that attention remains focused on their fate, Volker said. He said Russia should restore dialogue with Ukraine on the basis of the 2003 Treaty on Cooperation in the Use of the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait.

The territories of both countries go to the Sea of Azov. Both countries have the right and the need to use the sea for traffic. Next, we must return to a broader discussion on how to end the conflict in Eastern Ukraine, Volker said.