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Ukraine crisis: Vote outcome must be applied - Russia East Ukraine separatists back union with Russia
(about 2 hours later)
Russia has called for implementation of the result of the controversial referendums organised by pro-Russian groups in eastern Ukraine. A Ukrainian separatist leader is backing union with Russia following the outcome of a controversial referendum in the country's east.
Ukraine says the Sunday votes on self-rule are "a farce" with no legal basis. Roman Lyagin, head of the rebel Donetsk election commission, said joining Russia "would probably be an appropriate step".
Russia has called for dialogue and "implementing" the result, but Ukraine and the EU declared the poll illegal.
The EU is imposing further sanctions over Russia's actions in Ukraine.
Russia has called for dialogue between the militants and Kiev with the participation of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe.Russia has called for dialogue between the militants and Kiev with the participation of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
In Brussels, EU foreign ministers have expanded sanctions imposed as a result of Russia's actions in Ukraine.
Two Crimean companies and 13 individuals have been added to the sanctions list - the names are likely to be announced officially within the next 24 hours, reports the BBC's Chris Morris in Brussels.Two Crimean companies and 13 individuals have been added to the sanctions list - the names are likely to be announced officially within the next 24 hours, reports the BBC's Chris Morris in Brussels.
The sanctions impose travel bans and asset freezes. EU ministers are also discussing what might trigger a broader package of sanctions against the Russian economy.The sanctions impose travel bans and asset freezes. EU ministers are also discussing what might trigger a broader package of sanctions against the Russian economy.
In a brief statement, the Kremlin described the referendums as "the will of the people" and noted the "high turnout".In a brief statement, the Kremlin described the referendums as "the will of the people" and noted the "high turnout".
The Kremlin denounced what it claimed had been "attempts to disrupt the votes, with the use of force, including the use of heavy weapons, against civilians", reports the BBC's Steve Rosenberg in Moscow. The Kremlin denounced what it claimed had been "attempts to disrupt the votes, with the use of force, including the use of heavy weapons, against civilians", says the BBC's Steve Rosenberg in Moscow.
The Russian authorities said they expected the results of the vote to be implemented in a civilised manner, without any repetition of violence and called for dialogue between Kiev, Donetsk and Luhansk.The Russian authorities said they expected the results of the vote to be implemented in a civilised manner, without any repetition of violence and called for dialogue between Kiev, Donetsk and Luhansk.
Later Russia's Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, said there were no plans to hold fresh international talks on the crisis - he accused the West of an "information blockade" over events in Ukraine and of "shameless lies".Later Russia's Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, said there were no plans to hold fresh international talks on the crisis - he accused the West of an "information blockade" over events in Ukraine and of "shameless lies".
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier is to travel to Kiev on Tuesday to promote "dialogue" between the different parties.German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier is to travel to Kiev on Tuesday to promote "dialogue" between the different parties.
Earlier, Ukraine's interim President Oleksandr Turchynov told Ukraine's parliament that "the farce that terrorist separatists call a referendum is nothing more than propaganda to cover up murders, kidnappings, violence and other serious crimes".Earlier, Ukraine's interim President Oleksandr Turchynov told Ukraine's parliament that "the farce that terrorist separatists call a referendum is nothing more than propaganda to cover up murders, kidnappings, violence and other serious crimes".
The EU and US also said the polls were illegal.The EU and US also said the polls were illegal.
Separatists in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions say 89% and 96% respectively voted in favour of "self-rule".Separatists in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions say 89% and 96% respectively voted in favour of "self-rule".
The head of the separatist electoral commission, Roman Lyagin, has previously refused to be drawn on whether a yes vote would lead to a push for independence or union with Russia.
A number of towns in the two eastern regions refused to hold the referendums.A number of towns in the two eastern regions refused to hold the referendums.
They were held despite an earlier call for a delay by Russian President Vladimir Putin in order to create the conditions necessary for dialogue.They were held despite an earlier call for a delay by Russian President Vladimir Putin in order to create the conditions necessary for dialogue.
In other developments on polling day:In other developments on polling day:
After the first round of voting in which voters were asked whether they supported self-rule, a second round of voting is planned in a week's time, asking whether people support joining Russia. After the first round of voting in which voters were asked whether they supported self-rule, a second round of voting was planned in a week's time, asking whether people support joining Russia.
However, that vote is now in doubt, with Donetsk separatist leader Denis Pushilin saying that there would no longer be a second round.
Organisers also say they will boycott Ukraine's presidential elections on 25 May.Organisers also say they will boycott Ukraine's presidential elections on 25 May.
Russia annexed Ukraine's southern autonomous republic of Crimea after a March referendum.Russia annexed Ukraine's southern autonomous republic of Crimea after a March referendum.
Russia is estimated to have some 40,000 troops near the border and says they have been pulled back, but Nato says it has seen no sign of this.Russia is estimated to have some 40,000 troops near the border and says they have been pulled back, but Nato says it has seen no sign of this.
Are you in Donetsk or Luhansk region, or elsewhere in Ukraine? What do you think of the "self-rule" referendums? Send us your thoughts by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line "Ukraine".Are you in Donetsk or Luhansk region, or elsewhere in Ukraine? What do you think of the "self-rule" referendums? Send us your thoughts by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line "Ukraine".