Putin asks southeastern Ukraine to postpone referendum
MOSCOW. May 7 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on representatives of the southeastern regions of Ukraine to postpone the referendum scheduled for May 11.
"We are asking representatives of the southeastern regions of Ukraine and federalization supporters to reschedule the referendum scheduled for May 11," Putin told a press conference on Wednesday.
Putin said Russia calls on representatives of the southeastern regions of Ukraine to do this "to create necessary conditions for dialogue" with the Kyiv administration.
After the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics were declared in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in early April, opponents of the current Kyiv administration in the Donetsk and Luhansk region decided to hold local referendums on the status of the regions on May 11.
On April 25, the council of representatives of the territorial communities, political parties, and public organizations of the Donetsk People's Republic approved the text of the question out up for referendum. It reads: "Do you support the act of state independence of the Donetsk People's Republic?"
On May 5, participants in the meeting of the Public Council of the Luhansk region, which comprises the leaders of public organizations and associations, suggested including in the referendum ballot the question "Do you support the act of state independence of the Luhansk People's Republic?"
The presidium of the Luhansk region's council said it backs the public initiative to hold the referendum on May 11.
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