Pro-Russian Rebels In Eastern Ukraine Declare Independence

Rebels Appeal To Join Russia After East Ukraine Referendum -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Pro-Moscow rebel leaders in eastern Ukraine called on Monday for their region to become part of Russia, the day after staging a referendum on self-rule, although Moscow stopped short of endorsing their bid for annexation.

Announcing the result of the vote in one of the two provinces where it was held, a leader of the "People's Republic of Donetsk", Denis Pushilin, said it was now an independent state and would appeal to join the Russian Federation.

"The people of Donetsk have always been part of the Russian world. For us, the history of Russia is our history," he said.

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More News On Pro-Russian Rebels In Eastern Ukraine Declaring Independence

Insurgents in Eastern Ukraine Declare Independence -- AP
Ukraine separatists declare independence -- Al Jazeera
Ukraine Rebels Ask to Join Russia as Gazprom Threatens a Cutoff -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Ukrainian Separatists Ask to Join Russia -- ABC News
Ukraine's Donetsk region asking to join Russia, separatist leader says -- CNN
Ukraine Separatists Ask to Join Russia -- Wall Street Journal

Update: Moscow not in rush to respond Donetsk People's Republic’s plea of accession -- RT