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Ukraine crisis: Kiev 'planning autonomy referendum' Ukraine crisis: 'Six troops killed in ambush in east'
(35 minutes later)
Ukraine is planning a national referendum on devolving power to regions, the Kiev-appointed governor of the eastern Donetsk region has said. Six Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in an ambush in the eastern Donetsk region, the defence ministry has said.
Serhiy Taruta said the plan for a mid-June vote might be discussed in parliament on Tuesday. A unit was attacked near the town of Kramatorsk by about 30 insurgents with heavy weapons, it said. Eight more servicemen were wounded.
Pro-Russia activists have declared two separate states in the east, after holding self-rule votes declared illegal by Kiev, the US and EU. Donetsk region is one of two in eastern Ukraine that declared themselves separate from Ukraine after referendums deemed illegal by Kiev, the US and EU.
Meanwhile, six Ukrainian soldiers died in an ambush on Tuesday, Kiev said. In Luhansk, separatists said an attempt was made on the life of a rebel leader.
A unit was attacked near the town of Kramatorsk in Donetsk region by about 30 insurgents with heavy weapons, the ministry of defence said. Eight more servicemen were wounded. Self-declared governor Valery Bolotov was shot and had lost a lot of blood, but his life was not in danger, the press office of the "Luhansk People's Republic" said.
In neighbouring Luhansk region, Russian media quoted separatists as saying that the self-declared governor had been wounded in an assassination attempt.
Valery Bolotov was shot and had lost a lot of blood, but his life was not in danger, the press office of the self-declared "Luhansk People's Republic" said.
'Crucial''Crucial'
Earlier the Kiev-appointed governor of Donetsk region said Ukraine was planning a national referendum on devolving power to regions.
Speaking at a news conference in Donetsk, Mr Taruta called on parliament to pass legislation which would authorise a vote to help regions get more power while remaining within Ukraine.
Mr Taruta also described Sunday's separatist referendums in Donetsk and Luhansk as "an opinion poll".
He said the self-declared "People's Republic of Donetsk" did not exist legally or politically, and that the Donetsk region could not survive economically as an independent territory.
People in the east "should hear answers to the questions that they are concerned about", he said.
On a visit to Kiev, Germany's foreign minister urged talks between government and rebels.On a visit to Kiev, Germany's foreign minister urged talks between government and rebels.
Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed support for a national round table which the government is planning to hold on Wednesday.Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed support for a national round table which the government is planning to hold on Wednesday.
Ukrainian officials say the meeting will include politicians and civic leaders from the country's east, but armed separatists have already refused to negotiate.Ukrainian officials say the meeting will include politicians and civic leaders from the country's east, but armed separatists have already refused to negotiate.
Mr Steinmeier also backed Ukraine's 25 May presidential vote, which he said would be "crucial" in bringing the country out of its crisis.Mr Steinmeier also backed Ukraine's 25 May presidential vote, which he said would be "crucial" in bringing the country out of its crisis.
Speaking at a news conference in Donetsk, Mr Taruta called on parliament to pass legislation which would authorise a nationwide referendum on 15 June to help regions get more power while remaining within Ukraine. Meanwhile a separatist leader has called on Russia to "absorb" Donetsk region.
Mr Taruta also described Sunday's separatist referendums in Donetsk and Luhansk as "an opinion poll".
He said the self-declared "People's Republic of Donetsk" did not exist legally or politically, and that the Donetsk region could not survive economically as an independent territory.
People in the east "should hear answers to the questions that they are concerned about", he said.
A separatist leader has called on Russia to "absorb" Donetsk region.
Separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk say 89% and 96% respectively voted in favour of "self-rule" in the referendums.Separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk say 89% and 96% respectively voted in favour of "self-rule" in the referendums.
Armed separatists remain in control of many official buildings across eastern Ukraine. Armed rebels remain in control of many official buildings across eastern Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Russia's gas company, Gazprom, has asked Ukraine to pay $1.66bn (£1bn) for gas deliveries in June. Meanwhile, Russian gas company Gazprom has asked Ukraine to pay $1.66bn (£1bn) for gas deliveries in June.
Gazprom says Ukraine owes it $3.5bn. It recently doubled the price Ukraine must pay for gas - a move that Kiev has refused to accept.Gazprom says Ukraine owes it $3.5bn. It recently doubled the price Ukraine must pay for gas - a move that Kiev has refused to accept.
But Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk said Russia should stop using gas as "a new type of weapon".But Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk said Russia should stop using gas as "a new type of weapon".
He also accused Moscow of seizing Ukrainian property including oil and gas during the annexation of Ukraine's southern autonomous republic of Crimea in March following a controversial referendum.He also accused Moscow of seizing Ukrainian property including oil and gas during the annexation of Ukraine's southern autonomous republic of Crimea in March following a controversial referendum.
Mr Yatsenyuk was speaking in Brussels after signing a deal for 1bn euros in EU aid.Mr Yatsenyuk was speaking in Brussels after signing a deal for 1bn euros in EU aid.
The Ukrainian government fears a similar outcome to the annexation of Crimea in Donetsk, Luhansk and parts of the south.The Ukrainian government fears a similar outcome to the annexation of Crimea in Donetsk, Luhansk and parts of the south.
Nato believes some 40,000 Russian troops are deployed near Ukraine's border, although Moscow says they have been pulled back.Nato believes some 40,000 Russian troops are deployed near Ukraine's border, although Moscow says they have been pulled back.
Are you in the Donetsk or Luhansk region, or elsewhere in Ukraine? Will you be voting in the presidential election on 25 May? What do you think of the "self-rule" referendums? You can send us your thoughts by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line "Ukraine".Are you in the Donetsk or Luhansk region, or elsewhere in Ukraine? Will you be voting in the presidential election on 25 May? What do you think of the "self-rule" referendums? You can send us your thoughts by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line "Ukraine".
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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