Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on the illegal referendum on the status of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, May 11, 2014
The illegitimate "referendum" on the status of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts held on May 11 this year, which has been organized and funded by the Kremlin, is legally null and void and will have no legal implications for the territorial integrity and structure of Ukraine.
The organizers of this criminal farce have consciously violated the Constitution and laws of Ukraine and have ignored calls by the Ukrainian government and the international community.
Behind the "referendums" and provocations are terrorist gangs trained and armed according to current Russian standards.
The vast majority of the citizens of Ukraine in the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts are not giving in to these despotic actions and are refusing a criminal "ballot" that is soaked in the blood of their fellow citizens.
The Ukrainian people do not recognize any terrorist referendums either in the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts or in Crimea. The reaction is the same on the part of the international community.
Our country stands for a dialogue of national unity, which has no place for threats and terrorism but which offers instead openness and solidarity of all people of good will who yearn for peace, stability, and prosperity for Ukraine.
Source: http://mfa.gov.ua/ua/press-center/comments/1287-komentar-dip-mzs-ukrajini-shhodo-nelegitimnogo-opituvannya-pro-status-donecykoji-ta-lugansykoji-oblastej
Translated by Anna Mostovych
