(VOVworld) – The US and the EU have voiced their protest at the result of last week’s referendum on the self-governing demands of Donetsk and Lugansk, in eastern Ukraine.

People in Donetsk and Lugansk cast their votes in the referendum, May 11, 2014. (Photo: ITAR-TASS)

Spokeswoman for the US Department of State Jen Psaki said that the referendum was backed by Ukrainian federalist supporters in the provinces to stir up unrest in Ukraine. The European Council President, Herman Van Rompuy, rejected the referendum and said that the event was illegal and illegitimate, which could only inflame the Ukraine crisis. He said the EU only recognised the Ukrainian presidential poll on May 25 and called on Russia to mobilise Ukrainian federalist supporters to co-operate with the Kiev government.
The Kremlin said Moscow respected the will of the people in Donetsk and Lugansk and proceeded on the basis that the referendum result would be implemented in a civilised way, without any relapse into violence, and through dialogue between representatives of Kiev, Donetsk and Lugansk.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel continues to call for a diplomatic solution to the pro-longed Ukrainian crisis. She opposed using military action to resolve the crisis and said that the EU’s main task was to ensure that all Ukrainians could decide their future without force.