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Separatists claim victory, call for Russia to annex a part of eastern Ukraine Separatists claim victory, call for Russia to annex part of eastern Ukraine
(35 minutes later)
DONETSK, Ukraine — Pro-Russian militants Monday claimed a runaway victory in eastern Ukraine’s controversial self-rule vote, and armed insurgents promptly demanded that Ukrainian security forces leave the separatists’ “sovereign” territory and urged Russia to consider absorbing it.DONETSK, Ukraine — Pro-Russian militants Monday claimed a runaway victory in eastern Ukraine’s controversial self-rule vote, and armed insurgents promptly demanded that Ukrainian security forces leave the separatists’ “sovereign” territory and urged Russia to consider absorbing it.
“Based on the will of the people and on the restoration of a historic justice, we ask the Russian Federation to consider the absorption of the Donetsk People’s Republic into the Russian Federation,” Denis Pushilin, a separatist leader, told a news conference. “The people of Donetsk have always been part of the Russian world. For us, the history of Russia is our history.”“Based on the will of the people and on the restoration of a historic justice, we ask the Russian Federation to consider the absorption of the Donetsk People’s Republic into the Russian Federation,” Denis Pushilin, a separatist leader, told a news conference. “The people of Donetsk have always been part of the Russian world. For us, the history of Russia is our history.”
He made the comments after another separatist leader demanded the departure of Ukrainian security forces. Russian authorities were restrained in their response to Pushilin’s request, repeating calls they made earlier in the day for negotiations within Ukraine.
“We reaffirm the need for the immediate establishment of a broad discussion in Ukraine concerning its future state structure, involving all political forces and the country’s regions,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. “Unfortunately, the authorities in Kiev continue to demonstrate criminal unwillingness to engage in dialogue with their people.”
Pushilin issued his appeal to Russia after another separatist leader demanded the departure of Ukrainian security forces from the Donetsk region.
“All the soldiers and officers of the armed forces, internal security forces, the Security Service, the Interior Ministry and other paramilitary structures of Ukraine from now on are considered to be illegally within the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR),” said a statement attributed to rebel military commander Igor Strelkov and distributed in pamphlets in the separatist-held cities of Slovyansk and Kramatorsk. “Within 48 hours they are required to swear allegiance to the DPR or leave the country.”“All the soldiers and officers of the armed forces, internal security forces, the Security Service, the Interior Ministry and other paramilitary structures of Ukraine from now on are considered to be illegally within the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR),” said a statement attributed to rebel military commander Igor Strelkov and distributed in pamphlets in the separatist-held cities of Slovyansk and Kramatorsk. “Within 48 hours they are required to swear allegiance to the DPR or leave the country.”
European Union documents and Ukrainian authorities identify Strelkov as a member of the Russian military intelligence agency GRU.European Union documents and Ukrainian authorities identify Strelkov as a member of the Russian military intelligence agency GRU.
While the authenticity of the pamphlets could not be independently verified, separatist leaders in Donetsk also said that one of their main priorities was to fight representatives of the Kiev government. “We will propose they either shift to the people’s side, or ask them to leave our territory,” Denis Pushilin, a leader of the Donetsk separatists, told a news conference. While the authenticity of the pamphlets could not be independently verified, separatist leaders in Donetsk also said that one of their main priorities was to fight representatives of the Kiev government. “We will propose they either shift to the people’s side, or ask them to leave our territory,” Pushilin told reporters.
Rebel leaders in Donetsk and Luhansk said Sunday’s vote had established two new “sovereign” republics. One of the twin referendums called for the establishment of a Donetsk People’s Republic and the other for the creation of a Luhansk People’s Republic.Rebel leaders in Donetsk and Luhansk said Sunday’s vote had established two new “sovereign” republics. One of the twin referendums called for the establishment of a Donetsk People’s Republic and the other for the creation of a Luhansk People’s Republic.
The separatist leaders hinted about joining Russia and were adamant that Ukrainian presidential and mayoral elections scheduled for May 25 would not take place on what they now consider to be their territory. The separatist leaders were adamant that Ukrainian presidential and mayoral elections scheduled for May 25 would not take place on what they now consider to be their territory.
Roman Lyagin, the head of the separatist’s election commission in Donetsk, said that “in my opinion, joining Russia would be appropriate.” “We have turned a new page in Europe for those nations who have the right of self-determination,” Pushilin said.
Vasily Nikitin, a spokesman for the insurgents in Luhansk said the region will not vote in Ukraine’s May 25 presidential election, according to the Associated Press. Roman Lyagin, the head of the separatists’ election commission in Donetsk, said that “in my opinion, joining Russia would be appropriate.”
Russian news agency RIA Novosti said Luhansk may hold a referendum on joining Russia. “If this decision is taken, then, respectively, the will of the people will be taken into account,” the agency quoted a spokesman for the separatists as saying. Vasily Nikitin, a spokesman for the insurgents in Luhansk said the region will not vote in Ukraine’s May 25 elections, according to the Associated Press.
A referendum organiser was reported as saying that 96.2 percent of voters supported autonomy for Luhansk and would seek recognition from the United Nations. Russian news agency RIA Novosti said Luhansk may hold a referendum on joining Russia. “If this decision is taken, then, respectively, the will of the people will be taken into account,” the agency quoted a spokesman for the Luhansk region’s pro-Russian separatists as saying.
A referendum organizer was reported as saying that 96.2 percent of voters supported autonomy for Luhansk and would seek recognition from the United Nations.
“As of today, we are now the Republic of Luhansk, which believes it to be inappropriate and perhaps even stupid to hold a presidential election,” RIA Novosti quoted the spokesman as saying.“As of today, we are now the Republic of Luhansk, which believes it to be inappropriate and perhaps even stupid to hold a presidential election,” RIA Novosti quoted the spokesman as saying.
Pushilin said he did not trust the Kiev government, blaming it for the breakdown of the Geneva accords and the deaths of pro-Russian activists in Odessa earlier this month, which he said “had reduced the window of opportunity for negotiations . Pushilin said he did not trust the Kiev government, blaming it for the breakdown of the Geneva accords and the deaths of pro-Russian activists in Odessa earlier this month, which he said “had reduced the window of opportunity for negotiations.”
“The only topic to negotiate with Kiev is over swapping hostages,” he said, adding that any other subjects would require international mediation.“The only topic to negotiate with Kiev is over swapping hostages,” he said, adding that any other subjects would require international mediation.
Earlier, the Kremlin bolstered the rebels’ credibility by calling for dialogue with the Kiev government.Earlier, the Kremlin bolstered the rebels’ credibility by calling for dialogue with the Kiev government.
With positions hardening and fears mounting of a spiral into civil war, the Kremlin said the results of Sunday’s referendum, declared a farce by Kiev and illegal by the West, should be carried out “in a civilized way,” without violence. The Kremlin statement was aimed at lending legitimacy to the ad hoc vote in two regions of eastern Ukraine.With positions hardening and fears mounting of a spiral into civil war, the Kremlin said the results of Sunday’s referendum, declared a farce by Kiev and illegal by the West, should be carried out “in a civilized way,” without violence. The Kremlin statement was aimed at lending legitimacy to the ad hoc vote in two regions of eastern Ukraine.
“Moscow respects the will of the population of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and hopes that the practical implementation of the referendums’ results will proceed in a civilized way, without repeated outbreaks of violence and through a dialogue between representatives of Kiev, Donetsk and Luhansk,” the government of Russian President Vladi­mir Putin said in a statement.“Moscow respects the will of the population of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and hopes that the practical implementation of the referendums’ results will proceed in a civilized way, without repeated outbreaks of violence and through a dialogue between representatives of Kiev, Donetsk and Luhansk,” the government of Russian President Vladi­mir Putin said in a statement.
It said that “all mediation efforts will be welcome,” including by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the group that has sought to foster negotiations to quell rising violence in Ukraine.It said that “all mediation efforts will be welcome,” including by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the group that has sought to foster negotiations to quell rising violence in Ukraine.
But although the Kremlin noted “high voter turnout despite attempts to disrupt the voting,” it did not make clear its interpretation of what the referendum was calling for — independence from Ukraine, more autonomy for the region or simply empowerment for the pro-Russian separatists who have seized buildings in the east to speak on behalf of the population there. But although the Kremlin noted “high voter turnout despite attempts to disrupt the voting,” it did not make clear its interpretation of what the referendums were calling for — independence from Ukraine, more autonomy for the region or simply empowerment for the pro-Russian separatists who have seized buildings in the east to speak on behalf of the population there.
Lyagin, who heads the Central Elections Commission of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, told Russia’s Interfax news agency that he was not sure when final tallies would be ready but that preliminary results suggest that 89 percent of the voters supported some sort of self-rule. He said a final referendum report would be issued later Monday. Putin last week issued a surprise call for the vote to be postponed, but the rebels rebuffed it, arguing that they would lose popular trust if they did so.
Russia’s state-run RIA Novosti news agency reported Monday morning that final results showed 96.2 percent support for the region’s self-rule. In a move seen as potentially increasing pressure on the Kiev government and its European supporters, Russia’s state-backed gas company, Gazprom, warned Monday that it would cut off natural gas supplies to Ukraine as early as June 3 if Ukraine does not start paying for the gas in advance. Such a cutoff would throttle energy supplies to the rest of Europe, since a significant portion of the natural gas that the continent uses passes through Ukraine.
“It’s time to stop messing around,” Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said in a meeting with Gazprom chief executive Alexei Miller and Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak that was broadcast on Kremlin-backed news channels. “I think Gazprom has taken all possible steps to resolve this matter by other means.”
Miller then announced that Ukraine in June would receive only the gas it has paid for by June 2.
If Gazprom were to cut off natural gas, supplies to Europe could be severely limited, although the demand for the fuel is significantly lower in the summer than during the winter. Many European countries are deeply dependent on Russian natural gas as an energy source.
In Donetsk, Lyagin, who heads the Central Elections Commission of the Donetsk People’s Republic, told Russia’s Interfax news agency that preliminary results from Sunday’s referendum suggested that 89 percent of the voters supported some sort of self-rule.
Crimea, an autonomous Ukrainian region with a majority ethnic Russian population, voted in a hastily called referendum in March to join the Russian Federation. That vote was followed by a declaration of independence, then Russia’s swift annexation of the region. But if Russia attempted to take over eastern Ukraine as well, war would likely erupt, since the region is not as solidly pro-Russian and Ukrainian military forces have shown signs of being more determined to fight back.Crimea, an autonomous Ukrainian region with a majority ethnic Russian population, voted in a hastily called referendum in March to join the Russian Federation. That vote was followed by a declaration of independence, then Russia’s swift annexation of the region. But if Russia attempted to take over eastern Ukraine as well, war would likely erupt, since the region is not as solidly pro-Russian and Ukrainian military forces have shown signs of being more determined to fight back.
The wording of Sunday’s referendum was vague, asking whether voters favored self-determination rather than outright independence or joining Russia. That meant some of those voting yes wanted more autonomy but not necessarily to split from Ukraine.The wording of Sunday’s referendum was vague, asking whether voters favored self-determination rather than outright independence or joining Russia. That meant some of those voting yes wanted more autonomy but not necessarily to split from Ukraine.
But the vote infuriated the Ukrainian government. The Foreign Ministry called it a “criminal farce” arranged by a “gang of Russian terrorists,” reflecting the government’s view that Russian agents are behind the breakaway movement. Many residents who oppose the separatist movement boycotted the vote.But the vote infuriated the Ukrainian government. The Foreign Ministry called it a “criminal farce” arranged by a “gang of Russian terrorists,” reflecting the government’s view that Russian agents are behind the breakaway movement. Many residents who oppose the separatist movement boycotted the vote.
Both the European Union and the Obama administration said they would not recognize the results of the balloting in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which they called illegal.Both the European Union and the Obama administration said they would not recognize the results of the balloting in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which they called illegal.
European Union foreign ministers expanded sanctions Monday over Russia’s actions in Ukraine, adding two Crimean companies and 13 people to the bloc’s sanctions list, Reuters news agency reported ahead of a meeting in Brussels.European Union foreign ministers expanded sanctions Monday over Russia’s actions in Ukraine, adding two Crimean companies and 13 people to the bloc’s sanctions list, Reuters news agency reported ahead of a meeting in Brussels.
The sanctions are in addition to measures affecting 48 Russians and Ukrainians, who have already been targeted with E.U. asset freezes and visa bans since Russia annexed Crimea in March.The sanctions are in addition to measures affecting 48 Russians and Ukrainians, who have already been targeted with E.U. asset freezes and visa bans since Russia annexed Crimea in March.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague said before the meeting that it was essential to show Moscow the E.U. is ready to step up measures “depending on Russia’s attitude” toward Ukraine’s May 25 presidential and mayoral elections. British Foreign Secretary William Hague said before the meeting that it was essential to show Moscow the E.U. is ready to step up measures “depending on Russia’s attitude” toward Ukraine’s May 25 elections.
The German government has been spearheading a move to have the OSCE launch talks between rival factions in Ukraine. On Monday, German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said the first such “round table” discussions were scheduled to begin Wednesday, with participants including representatives from the interim government in Kiev, the Ukrainian parliament and Ukraine’s regions.The German government has been spearheading a move to have the OSCE launch talks between rival factions in Ukraine. On Monday, German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said the first such “round table” discussions were scheduled to begin Wednesday, with participants including representatives from the interim government in Kiev, the Ukrainian parliament and Ukraine’s regions.
But he did not specify which groups in the regions had agreed to meet, or, importantly, whether they would include any of those who organized the referendum in Donetsk and Luhansk.But he did not specify which groups in the regions had agreed to meet, or, importantly, whether they would include any of those who organized the referendum in Donetsk and Luhansk.
German Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Schäfer said the OSCE has appointed a former German diplomat, Wolfgang Ischinger, to moderate the negotiations. He said Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier was heading to Kiev and eastern Ukraine for talks on Tuesday and would travel to France later that evening to discuss the crisis with his counterpart in Paris, Laurent Fabius.German Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Schäfer said the OSCE has appointed a former German diplomat, Wolfgang Ischinger, to moderate the negotiations. He said Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier was heading to Kiev and eastern Ukraine for talks on Tuesday and would travel to France later that evening to discuss the crisis with his counterpart in Paris, Laurent Fabius.
Late Sunday night, Lyagin, the separatist election commission chief in Donetsk, said that nearly three-quarters of the 3.32 million eligible voters in the region had cast ballots, a figure that could not be confirmed independently. Late Sunday night, Lyagin said that nearly three-quarters of the 3.32 million eligible voters in the region had cast ballots, a figure that could not be confirmed independently.
The vote will complicate Ukraine’s efforts to reestablish order in the wake of a revolt that ousted the country’s pro-Russian president in February and prompted a backlash in the east. Ukraine is vowing to go ahead with the elections in two weeks. But given Sunday’s result, Lyagin said, “it is not logical to have the presidential election here on the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic.” The U.S. and European governments have threatened Russia with further sanctions if the national vote is disrupted.The vote will complicate Ukraine’s efforts to reestablish order in the wake of a revolt that ousted the country’s pro-Russian president in February and prompted a backlash in the east. Ukraine is vowing to go ahead with the elections in two weeks. But given Sunday’s result, Lyagin said, “it is not logical to have the presidential election here on the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic.” The U.S. and European governments have threatened Russia with further sanctions if the national vote is disrupted.
Ukrainian troops have been trying to wrest back control of eastern cities where separatists have seized government buildings and set up checkpoints manned by militias. Despite the government’s condemnation of the vote, its armed forces generally allowed balloting to proceed Sunday. But Ukrainian national guardsmen shut down the voting in the eastern city of Krasnoarmeysk and later fired into a crowd outside the town hall, news services reported. The Associated Press said one of its photographers saw two people lying motionless on the ground after the clash. Denis Pushilin, a leader of the rebellion, told the Itar-Tass news agency that there were an unspecified number of deaths. Ukrainian troops have been trying to wrest back control of eastern cities where separatists have seized government buildings and set up checkpoints manned by militias. Despite the government’s condemnation of the vote, its armed forces generally allowed balloting to proceed Sunday. But Ukrainian national guardsmen shut down the voting in the eastern city of Krasnoarmeysk and later fired into a crowd outside the town hall, news services reported. The Associated Press said one of its photographers saw two people lying motionless on the ground after the clash. Pushilin, a leader of the rebellion, told the Itar-Tass news agency that there were an unspecified number of deaths.
Separatist leaders have in the past come out clearly in favor of independence or of union with Russia, and they have suggested that another referendum to decide that question could take place at a later date. Lyagin said there was no plan for a quick second referendum, but he did not deny that one might eventually occur.
Russia is almost certain to embrace the vote as legitimate. In a pre-recorded speech that blared over loudspeakers in a rebel military camp in Luhansk, Russian nationalist politician Vladimir Zhirinovsky congratulated people for their “absolute victory.”Russia is almost certain to embrace the vote as legitimate. In a pre-recorded speech that blared over loudspeakers in a rebel military camp in Luhansk, Russian nationalist politician Vladimir Zhirinovsky congratulated people for their “absolute victory.”
“We’ll live a peaceful life in Russia together, and Kiev will always lose,” Zhirinovsky said. Russia has massed roughly 40,000 troops on its border with Ukraine and has threatened to intervene if the rights of ethnic Russians are violated.“We’ll live a peaceful life in Russia together, and Kiev will always lose,” Zhirinovsky said. Russia has massed roughly 40,000 troops on its border with Ukraine and has threatened to intervene if the rights of ethnic Russians are violated.
Many observers say the referendum lacks any credibility. Names were checked against a 2012 voters’ list, but anyone who turned up with a passport was allowed to vote, even if they weren’t on the list.Many observers say the referendum lacks any credibility. Names were checked against a 2012 voters’ list, but anyone who turned up with a passport was allowed to vote, even if they weren’t on the list.
Indeed, in one polling station in the city of Mariupol, many people brought multiple passports on behalf of relatives and openly filled out two, three or even four ballot slips themselves.Indeed, in one polling station in the city of Mariupol, many people brought multiple passports on behalf of relatives and openly filled out two, three or even four ballot slips themselves.
The ballots lacked markings that could prevent them from being widely copied. The people staffing the polling stations and counting the ballots were activists who supported a yes vote. There were no international oversight missions.The ballots lacked markings that could prevent them from being widely copied. The people staffing the polling stations and counting the ballots were activists who supported a yes vote. There were no international oversight missions.
Nonetheless, many people here — at least those who voted — will see it as a powerful expression of popular will. Nonetheless, many people in the region — at least those who voted — will see it as a powerful expression of popular will.
At the very least, the lines of voters appeared to reflect a significant protest vote against the central government in Kiev.At the very least, the lines of voters appeared to reflect a significant protest vote against the central government in Kiev.
But whether residents were seeking to join Russia was unclear. The ballots asked voters whether they supported what could be translated variously as “independence,” “sovereignty” or “self-determination” for the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.But whether residents were seeking to join Russia was unclear. The ballots asked voters whether they supported what could be translated variously as “independence,” “sovereignty” or “self-determination” for the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
“My problem is not Ukraine, it is the authorities in Kiev,” said Anton Karpov, a 31-year-old employee of a coal mine.“My problem is not Ukraine, it is the authorities in Kiev,” said Anton Karpov, a 31-year-old employee of a coal mine.
Polls have indicated that most residents of eastern Ukraine would prefer to stay part of that country. That’s a far different attitude than in Crimea.Polls have indicated that most residents of eastern Ukraine would prefer to stay part of that country. That’s a far different attitude than in Crimea.
Still, many residents of eastern Ukraine are deeply unhappy with the Western-leaning national government that came to power in February after President Viktor Yanukovych was forced from office; many consider the new government to be illegal and in league with ultra-nationalist groups. Some worry that the large population of Russian-speakers living in the east will be treated as second-class citizens by the new government. Their fears have been magnified by aggressive Russian propaganda.Still, many residents of eastern Ukraine are deeply unhappy with the Western-leaning national government that came to power in February after President Viktor Yanukovych was forced from office; many consider the new government to be illegal and in league with ultra-nationalist groups. Some worry that the large population of Russian-speakers living in the east will be treated as second-class citizens by the new government. Their fears have been magnified by aggressive Russian propaganda.
Opponents of the separatist movement largely stayed away from polling stations Sunday. The referendum “is not legal,” said a 35-year-old businessman who gave his name only as Dmitry and was walking in a Donetsk park with his wife. He said he would not vote. “It’s just people with guns,” he said. “It is not a democratic referendum.”Opponents of the separatist movement largely stayed away from polling stations Sunday. The referendum “is not legal,” said a 35-year-old businessman who gave his name only as Dmitry and was walking in a Donetsk park with his wife. He said he would not vote. “It’s just people with guns,” he said. “It is not a democratic referendum.”
There were no independent exit polls Sunday. But it did appear that turnout was relatively high. Journalists from several Western news organizations interviewed 186 residents in the Donetsk region, away from polling stations, and found that 116 had cast ballots or intended to. A total of 122 favored self-determination. The results were not scientific but reflected the level of interest in the referendum.
Residents’ attitudes appear to have hardened considerably with the deaths of dozens of pro-Russian activists in the city of Odessa this month and with reports that troops fired at a crowd in Mariupol last week.
“I am not against Ukraine. My children go to a Ukrainian school,” said Elena Voronkova, a 39-year-old businesswoman who voted yes. “But I want peace, stability and not to be afraid.”
Some residents said they wanted more autonomy for their region in a unified Ukraine. Others were openly in favor of joining Russia.
“My soul is asking, my motherland is asking” for a union with Russia, said Vyachesla, 73, a retired lawyer who did not want to give his last name. “I am voting no to fascism and no to the Kiev junta.”
Voting in Donetsk appeared orderly at many polling stations. People lined up to record their names and then stepped into curtained booths to mark their ballots before dropping them into containers decorated with the black, blue and red flag of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic.
In Horlivka, a tiny suburb about 15 miles from the city of Donetsk, turnout was heavy.
Sergei Vasilyev, 28, who backs the separatist cause, said he was surprised by the size of the crowd, noting that it appeared to top any turnout he had seen in previous presidential elections. “I thought we would be much fewer,” Vasilyev said.
But those in Horlivka who support a united Ukraine said they had no plans to vote or felt intimidated about voicing their views. Some mentioned cultural and generational divides that have fueled separatist tensions and are likely to be reflected in the vote.
“Only old people are happy about it,” said Vika, a student in a technical college who was discussing the referendum with friends in a cafe and declined to give more than her first name. The elderly had grown up in a Ukraine that was part of the Soviet Union, which collapsed in 1991. “Young people go to vote because we are afraid of being killed in Horlivka,” she said.
The rebels rejected Putin’s surprise call last week for the referendum to be postponed, arguing that they would lose popular trust if they did so.
Birnbaum reported from Moscow. Kunkle reported from Kiev. Anna Nemstova in Luhansk and Horlivka, Daniela Deane in London, Anthony Faiola in Berlin and Alex Ryabchyn in Donetsk contributed to this report.Birnbaum reported from Moscow. Kunkle reported from Kiev. Anna Nemstova in Luhansk and Horlivka, Daniela Deane in London, Anthony Faiola in Berlin and Alex Ryabchyn in Donetsk contributed to this report.