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Russia calls for Ukraine dialogue between Kiev and regions Russia calls for Ukraine dialogue between Kiev and regions
(35 minutes later)
Russia has said it "respected" the results of independence referendums in eastern Ukraine, but has called for dialogue between the government in Kiev and the south-east regions of the country, suggesting that a Crimea-style annexation of the region for Moscow is not on the cards. Russia has said it "respects" the results of independence referendums in eastern Ukraine, but has called for dialogue between the government in Kiev and the south-east regions of the country, suggesting that a Crimea-style annexation of the region for Moscow is not on the cards.
According to preliminary results announced by the de facto authorities in Donetsk and Luhansk, about 90 and 96% respectively voted for state sovereignty on Sunday. The referendums – which Kiev has dismissed as illegitimate – were hastily organised and marked by numerous violations.According to preliminary results announced by the de facto authorities in Donetsk and Luhansk, about 90 and 96% respectively voted for state sovereignty on Sunday. The referendums – which Kiev has dismissed as illegitimate – were hastily organised and marked by numerous violations.
Nevertheless, there has been an increasing mood of defiance in the region, especially as a Ukrainian army operation against the armed separatists has resulted in multiple casualties. It is hard to judge how many people support the armed takeover of government buildings and attempts to separate from Ukraine, but feelings are running high.Nevertheless, there has been an increasing mood of defiance in the region, especially as a Ukrainian army operation against the armed separatists has resulted in multiple casualties. It is hard to judge how many people support the armed takeover of government buildings and attempts to separate from Ukraine, but feelings are running high.
"In Moscow, we respect the will of the people of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and are counting on practical implementation of the outcome of the referendum in a civilised manner, without any repeat of violence and through dialogue," said the Kremlin in a statement. "In Moscow, we respect the will of the people of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and are counting on practical implementation of the outcome of the referendum in a civilised manner, without any repeat of violence and through dialogue," the Kremlin said in a statement.
In a press conference in Moscow on Monday, the foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, read out the Kremlin statement on Ukraine and added that only Russian channels were telling "the truth in real time" about the crisis, whereas western news outlets were hiding the real causes. Lavrov made no mention of the controversy surrounding the referendum, merely noting the "high voting activity" of the population despite attempts from Kiev to disrupt the vote. In a press conference in Moscow on Monday, the foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, read out the Kremlin statement on Ukraine and added that only Russian channels were telling "the truth in real time" about the crisis, whereas western news outlets were hiding the real causes.
He said no new international talks were planned on Ukraine. Lavrov made no mention of the controversy surrounding the referendum, merely noting the "high voting activity" of the population despite attempts from Kiev to disrupt the vote. He said no new international talks were planned on Ukraine.
The referendum question was worded ambiguously, appearing to offer state sovereignty for the Donetsk and Luhansk "people's republics". But Roman Lyagin, head of the de facto central election committee in Donetsk, said "nothing would change" in terms of state borders as a result of the vote. However, he said that in future the region would be free to decide whether to stay within Ukraine, become independent or join Russia. The referendum question was worded ambiguously, appearing to offer state sovereignty for the Donetsk and Luhansk "people's republics". Roman Lyagin, head of the de facto central election committee in Donetsk, said nothing would change in terms of state borders as a result of the vote. However, he said that in future the region would be free to decide whether to stay within Ukraine, become independent or join Russia.
The eastern regions are entering an uncertain situation, with tension and anger running high on both sides. Ukrainian army and affiliated paramilitary units killed unarmed civilians in Mariupol last week and during the voting on Sunday, when one person was killed in the town of Krasnoarmeisk. For their part, the rebels in Donetsk have taken hostages among pro-Ukraine activists and been accused of torture. It is unclear whether either side is ready for talks. The eastern regions are entering an uncertain situation, with tension and anger running high on both sides. Ukrainian army and affiliated paramilitary units killed unarmed civilians in Mariupol last week and in Krasnoarmeisk during the voting on Sunday. For their part, the rebels in Donetsk have taken hostages among pro-Ukraine activists and been accused of torture. It is unclear whether either side is ready for talks.
"The farce, which terrorists call the referendum, will have no legal consequences except the criminal responsibility for its organisers," Ukraine's acting president, Oleksandr Turchynov, said in a statement on Monday. Ukraine's acting president, Oleksandr Turchynov, said on Monday: "The farce which terrorists call the referendum will have no legal consequences except the criminal responsibility for its organisers."