Separatists boast of victory as Putin says he will respect outcome of bogus referendum
Leaders of the self-declared Donetsk People’s Republic on May 12 declared victory in announcing the success of its self-organised, bogus referendum on self-rule on May 11, saying the region was now a sovereign state.
Shortly after the announcement, pro-Russian separatist leader Denis Pushilin said he had asked Russia to bring his new republic into the Kremlin’s fold.
“We’ve asked the Russian Federation to consider accession to Russia as a subject,” he told reporters. “We’re waiting for Russia’s reaction.”
Russia on May 12 said it respects the result of the referendums held in the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, home to some 15 per cent of Ukraine’s population, on May 11, in which pro-Russian separatists declared a decisive victory.
For the full story, please visit The Kyiv Post.
(Pro-Russian separatist leaders Denis Pushilin and Roman Liahin speak to reporters during a news conference on results of the referendum. Photo: Kostyantyn Chernichkin/The Kyiv Post)
