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| Ukraine crisis: Donetsk region asks to join Russia | Ukraine crisis: Donetsk region asks to join Russia |
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| The self-proclaimed People's Republic of Donetsk has asked to join Russia, just two hours after it announced the final results in a controversial referendum on independence. | The self-proclaimed People's Republic of Donetsk has asked to join Russia, just two hours after it announced the final results in a controversial referendum on independence. |
| The separatist leader, Denis Pushilin, told journalists in Donetsk on Monday that Moscow would be asked to consider absorbing the region, which borders Russia, into its fold. | The separatist leader, Denis Pushilin, told journalists in Donetsk on Monday that Moscow would be asked to consider absorbing the region, which borders Russia, into its fold. |
| Earlier, Russia said it respected the results of independence referendums in eastern Ukraine, but 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. | Earlier, Russia said it respected the results of independence referendums in eastern Ukraine, but 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 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. |
| The Kremlin said in a statement on Monday: "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 foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, who read out the statement, said that only Russian channels were telling "the truth in real time" about the crisis in Ukraine, whereas western news outlets were hiding the real causes. | The foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, who read out the statement, said that only Russian channels were telling "the truth in real time" about the crisis in Ukraine, 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. 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". 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 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 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. |
| 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." | 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." |