Captured Ukrainian sailors brought to "court" in Simferopol / REUTERS

Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations on Friday expressed their "utmost concern" about the capture by Russia of three Ukrainian boats and their crews near Crimea.

"We, the G7 foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union, express our utmost concern about Russia's actions against Ukraine in the Kerch Strait and surrounding waters, ‎which have dangerously raised tensions," they said in a statement on November 30.

There is no justification for Russia's use of military force against the Ukrainian ships and naval personnel, they say.

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"We urge restraint, due respect for international law, and the prevention of any further escalation. We call on Russia to release the detained crew and vessels and refrain from impeding lawful passage through the Kerch Strait," the statement said.

The G7 ambassadors once again reiterated that ‎they do not, and will never, recognize Russia's illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula, and they reaffirm their unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.‎