Poroshenko calls on Israel to help free Ukrainian sailors from Russia

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has called on Israel to facilitate the release of Ukrainian sailors captured by Russia in the Kerch Strait.

The head of state said this at a meeting with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, the press service of the Ukrainian president reported.

"The president of Ukraine urged Israel to facilitate the release of Ukrainian seamen who had been illegally captured by Russia during an act of aggression in the Kerch Strait," the report said.

In addition, according to the press service, the meeting participants discussed a wide range of issues on the bilateral agenda and ways of further developing traditionally friendly relations between Ukraine and Israel.

Particular attention was paid to topical issues of the international agenda, including the conflict in the Middle East and the crisis in Syria.

The parties also noted the importance of strengthening political contacts between Ukraine and Israel at the highest level and called for maintaining a high dynamics of bilateral visits in the future.

At the same time, the sides praised the agreement on a free trade area between Ukraine and Israel, which is to be signed on Monday evening.

Poroshenko also invited Rivlin to pay a visit to Ukraine in 2019.

Poroshenko is on an official visit to Israel on January 20-21.