Ukraine's self-proclaimed republics in talks to unite

PanARMENIAN.Net - Ukraine's self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk people’s republics have begun negotiations on unification, RIA Novosti reported, citing a local spokesman.

“The initiative of unifying the republics was brought forth yesterday. Preliminarily, talks should be held, as it is up to the leadership to decide. As of 10:00 am local time such talks are under way,” the spokesman said Tuesday, May 13.

Both regions declared themselves sovereign states on Monday, with Donetsk reportedly planning to ask Moscow to join Russia. The Luhansk leadership also said it did not rule out the possibility of a referendum on becoming part of Russia.

According to local officials in Donetsk and Luhansk, some 90 percent of voters in both regions supported the measure to secede from Ukraine and become independent sovereign states during referendums on Sunday.

Moscow said it "respects the will of the people in Ukraine’s southeastern provinces and hopes that Kyiv would do the same." The U.S. and EU denounced the results of the vote.