Almost 90% of Donetsk residents voted for self-determination.In Lugansk, results showed 96.2% support for self-rule.

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In February 2014, the Obama/Biden regime's Maidan coup transformed democratic Ukraine into Nazi-infested fascist rule.

In response, Donetsk and Lugansk held referendums weeks later for their people to decide on whether to go along or break away.

Results were overwhelming.

Almost 90% of Donetsk residents voted for self-determination.

In Lugansk, results showed 96.2% support for self-rule.

Popular sentiment to break away from Kiev was all about opposition to living under fascist rule.

Turnout was highnearly 75% in Donetsk, 81% in Lugansk.

Reflecting overwhelming popular sentiment, Lugansk People's Governor Valery Bolotov said the following:

"We have chosen our own path of independence from tyranny and bloody dictatorship by Kiev junta, from fascism and nationalism."

"We have chosen the path of freedom and the rule of law."

Co-chairman of Donetsk's people's Republic Denis Pushilin declared: "We, the people of Donetsk People's Republic"announce that the Republic, from now on, is a sovereign state."

It's "according to the will expressed by the residents of Donetsk."

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.

In 2019, Putin signed a decree to "simplify the process for (their) residents to become Russian citizens."

DPR and LPR becoming Russian republics is the next logical step.

It's not an annexation issue.

Both self-declared republics should be offered the option of holding referendums for their people to decide up or down on joining Russia.

Moscow should then honor their sentiment.

If it's for joining Russia what's highly likelyadmitting them as new republics would protect their people from Kiev aggression, benefit them socioeconomically and politically.

It's a long overdue step Moscow should initiate straightaway.

Authors Website: https://stephenlendman.org/

Authors Bio:

VISIT MY WEBSITE: stephenlendman.org (Home - Stephen Lendman). Contact at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.  My two Wall Street books are timely reading: "How Wall Street Fleeces America: Privatized Banking, Government Collusion, and Class War"

Stephen Lendman was born in 1934 in Boston, MA. In 1956, he received a BA from Harvard University. Two years of US Army service followed, then an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1960. After working seven years as a marketing research analyst, he joined the Lendman Group family business in 1967. He remained there until retiring at year end 1999. Writing on major world and national issues began in summer 2005. In early 2007, radio hosting followed. Lendman now hosts the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network three times weekly. Distinguished guests are featured. Listen live or archived. Major world and national issues are discussed. Lendman is a 2008 Project Censored winner and 2011 Mexican Journalists Club international journalism award recipient.