This piece was reprinted by OpEd News with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.
In "re-establish(ing) historical justice," [Pushilin] ask[ed] the Russian Federation [on behalf of regional residents] to consider the request of the Republic to join Russia."
At the time, a Kremlin press statement said the following: "We have taken note of high voter turnout despite attempts to derail the voting, and we condemn the force used, including military hardware, against civilians, which lead to fatalities."
"Moscow respects the will of the people in Donetsk and Lugansk and hopes that the practical realization of the outcome of the referendums will be carried out in a civilized manner, without resorting to violence, through dialogue between representatives of Kiev, Donetsk and Lugansk."
"In the interests of establishing such a dialogue all mediation efforts will be welcome, including by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe."
Sergey Lavrov said the following: "We have taken note of high voter turnout despite attempts to derail the voting, and we condemn the force used, including military hardware, against civilians, which lead to fatalities."
Russia's lower house State Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin said the following: "The referendums show(ed) (the will of the people) to defend their rights, essentially, their wish to be free."
They believe "their rights are massively violated in the current state system."
Russian upper house Federation Council member Sergei Tsekov said that "Donetsk and Lugansk regions demonstrated real choice."
"World nations should recognize it."
"Unfortunately, the self-proclaimed authorities of Ukraine did not let (both regions) hold their referendums in a calm atmosphere, but, clearly, the vote demonstrated the will of people""
"The referendums have totally convincing results."
"We saw how enthusiastic people were about the referendum and how many of them came to polling stations."
"If the world unwaveringly supports democratic values and wishes peace and accord in Ukraine, it should recognize the referendums and do its best to assist Ukrainian regions and the center to sit down and agree on their future."
Nearly eight years later on Tuesday, Russia's lower house State Duma voted overwhelmingly to recognize the sovereign independence of the People's Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk by a vote of 351 to 16 with one abstention.
Following the vote, State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin said the resolution agreed on "will be signed immediately" and sent to Vladimir Putin, adding: "Lawmakers believe that the recognition of DPR and LPR will create the grounds for ensuring security guarantees and protecting the population of the republics from external threats, as well as strengthening international peace and regional stability in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and will initiate the process of international recognition of both states."
Formal recognition of DPR and LPR sovereignty should be followed by fulfilling the aspiration of their people to become Russian republics.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
5
5
3
