The People’s Council of the People’s Republic of Donetsk (DNR) has scheduled a referendum for May 11, according to Council Chairman Denis Pushkin, despite warnings from Kiev and a request by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The referendum will concern the status of the region–whether it wishes to remain Ukrainian or become Russian. The council moved forward with the referendum after a unanimous vote that the referendum would not be postponed.
“The referendum will be the eleventh of May,” began the ” Interfax ” announcement of the vote by the co-chair of the DNR government, Miroslav Rudenko.
The public council in Lugansk also made the decision to hold a referendum, reportedly, according to spokespeople for that organization.
In recent days, Putin asked pro-Russian separatist forces in Southeastern Ukraine to postpone referendums.
Pro-Russian separatists have been demanding referendums since March, purposing unification with Russia.
By James Haleavy
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