Leader Of Rebel Held Luhansk In Eastern Ukraine Wants To Hold A Referendum To Join Russia

Luhansk Separatist leader Leonid Pasechnik  

RFE: Leader Of Kremlin-Backed Separatists In Ukraine Planning 'Referendum' To Join Russia 

The leader of territory controlled by Kremlin-backed separatists in Ukraine's Luhansk region has said he plans on holding a "referendum" on accession to Russia, a move that will escalate tensions between the Kremlin and the West. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the independence of Ukraine's Luhansk and Donetsk regions in February before launching a war against Ukraine to bring the country back under the Kremlin's sphere of influence. 

Putin has backed separatists that control parts of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions with money, weapons, and troops since 2014 as he seeks to prevent Ukraine from joining Western-led organizations including the European Union and NATO.  

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Update #1: Leader of east Ukraine separatist region says it may hold vote on joining Russia (AFP)  

Update #2: Moscow-backed Luhansk ‘to hold vote on leaving Ukraine to join Russia’ (The Times)  

WNU Editor: Ukraine's government has responded to this referendum plan .... Ukraine: Russian referendum in occupied territory would have no legal basis (Reuters).