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| Ukraine crisis: Donetsk 'declares independence from Kiev’ and sets date for referendum on joining Russia | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk has reportedly declared itself independent from the central government in Kiev and set a date for a referendum on joining Russia, according to local media reports. | The eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk has reportedly declared itself independent from the central government in Kiev and set a date for a referendum on joining Russia, according to local media reports. |
| The local government building was taken over last night by pro-Russian activists, and today members of the regional legislature moved to declare the city and its surrounds the Donetsk People’s Republic, the Russian news agency Itar Tass reported. | The local government building was taken over last night by pro-Russian activists, and today members of the regional legislature moved to declare the city and its surrounds the Donetsk People’s Republic, the Russian news agency Itar Tass reported. |
| The Ukrainian prime minister denounced the creation of a separatist state, describing it as part of a Russian plan to invade the east of the country. | The Ukrainian prime minister denounced the creation of a separatist state, describing it as part of a Russian plan to invade the east of the country. |
| Arseniy Yatsenyuk told an emergency meeting of cabinet: “An anti-Ukrainian plan is being put into operation ... under which foreign troops will cross the border and seize the territory of the country.” | Arseniy Yatsenyuk told an emergency meeting of cabinet: “An anti-Ukrainian plan is being put into operation ... under which foreign troops will cross the border and seize the territory of the country.” |
| He added: “We will not allow this.” | He added: “We will not allow this.” |
| In a series of developments which appear to show Donetsk following in the footsteps of Crimea, politicians at a session of the regional council reportedly passed a piece of legislation entitled “An Act on State Sovereignty of the Donetsk People’s Republic”. | In a series of developments which appear to show Donetsk following in the footsteps of Crimea, politicians at a session of the regional council reportedly passed a piece of legislation entitled “An Act on State Sovereignty of the Donetsk People’s Republic”. |
| In the same session, legislators also apparently passed a decision in favour of holding a referendum on joining the Russian federation, to be held “no later than 11 May”. | In the same session, legislators also apparently passed a decision in favour of holding a referendum on joining the Russian federation, to be held “no later than 11 May”. |
| According to Itar Tass, the document sealing its independence will see Donetsk “build its relations in line with international law and on the basis of equality and mutual benefits”. | According to Itar Tass, the document sealing its independence will see Donetsk “build its relations in line with international law and on the basis of equality and mutual benefits”. |
| It added that “the territory of the republic within the recognized borders is indivisible and inviolable”. | It added that “the territory of the republic within the recognized borders is indivisible and inviolable”. |
| Donetsk is the administrative centre of Ukraine’s heavily industrialised eastern region, the Donbas. The building of its Regional State Administration was seized last night by protesters chanting “Russia, Russia” and waving Russian flags. | Donetsk is the administrative centre of Ukraine’s heavily industrialised eastern region, the Donbas. The building of its Regional State Administration was seized last night by protesters chanting “Russia, Russia” and waving Russian flags. |
| Mr Yatsenyuk blamed Russia for “destabilising” large swathes of his country, with a reportedly vast accumulation of Russian troops stationed within 30km (19 miles) of the border. | Mr Yatsenyuk blamed Russia for “destabilising” large swathes of his country, with a reportedly vast accumulation of Russian troops stationed within 30km (19 miles) of the border. |
| His comments came as officials said a Russian marine had shot and killed a Ukrainian naval officer in eastern Crimea. | His comments came as officials said a Russian marine had shot and killed a Ukrainian naval officer in eastern Crimea. |
| There were fears Donetsk could be following in the footsteps of Crimea, already annexed by the Russian federation Ukraine’s interior ministry also reported that armed gunmen had occupied a security services building in Luhansk, a city some 25km (16 miles) west of Russia. | There were fears Donetsk could be following in the footsteps of Crimea, already annexed by the Russian federation Ukraine’s interior ministry also reported that armed gunmen had occupied a security services building in Luhansk, a city some 25km (16 miles) west of Russia. |
| The provincial government buildings of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, have reportedly also been stormed. | The provincial government buildings of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, have reportedly also been stormed. |
| Today, the German government said it was “very worried” about the weekend’s developments across eastern Ukraine. | Today, the German government said it was “very worried” about the weekend’s developments across eastern Ukraine. |
| Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert said: “The latest developments in Donetsk and in Kharkiv are something which we are all very worried about in the German government. | Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert said: “The latest developments in Donetsk and in Kharkiv are something which we are all very worried about in the German government. |
| “We must urgently renew our appeal to all those in positions of responsibility to help stabilise the region and avoid such escalation.” | “We must urgently renew our appeal to all those in positions of responsibility to help stabilise the region and avoid such escalation.” |