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East Ukraine separatists seek union with Russia East Ukraine separatists seek union with Russia
(35 minutes later)
A Ukrainian separatist leader is calling on Russia to "absorb" the eastern region of Donetsk after Sunday's unofficial vote on its status. A Ukrainian separatist leader is calling on Russia to "absorb" the eastern region of Donetsk after Sunday's referendum on self-rule.
Denis Pushilin, leader of the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic, said Moscow should listen to the "will of the people".Denis Pushilin, leader of the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic, said Moscow should listen to the "will of the people".
Russia has called for dialogue and "implementing" the result, but Ukraine and the EU declared the poll illegal.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.The EU is imposing further sanctions over Russia's actions in Ukraine.
Separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk regions say 89% and 96% respectively voted in favour of "self-rule".Separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk regions say 89% and 96% respectively voted in favour of "self-rule".
Mr Pushilin said that Ukrainian presidential elections, scheduled to take place on 25 April, would not happen in Donetsk because it was now "independent".
He added that he was not calling for Russian military intervention but that peacekeepers may be needed.
The region would switch to the Russian currency, the rouble, he said.
Earlier the head of the rebel Donetsk election commission, Roman Lyagin, said joining Russia "would probably be an appropriate step".Earlier the head of the rebel Donetsk election commission, Roman Lyagin, said joining Russia "would probably be an appropriate step".
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.
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 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 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.
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. He added that turnout for the referendum was much lower than the figure of 75% claimed by the separatists.
"According to the Interior Ministry... about 24% of people eligible to vote took part in the so-called referendum the Luhansk Region and slightly over 32 per cent in the Donetsk Region," he said.
Rinat Akhmetov, one of Ukraine's wealthiest businessmen, said he is convinced that the Donetsk and Luhansk regions would "only be happy in a united Ukraine".
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 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.
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".