KIEV, Aug. 31 – The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry is conducting “difficult” difficult with Somali pirates on the release of the Ariana, a ship with a crew of 24 Ukrainian citizens, ministry spokesman Vasyl Kyrylych has said.

"Talks are continuing between the representatives of ship-owners and the pirates on the release of the Ariana vessel. The details of the negotiating process have not been disclosed, however, it is obvious that talks are difficult," he told Interfax-Ukraine on Monday.