MOSCOW, Russia (PNN) - May 13, 2014 - On Sunday, Lugansk and Donetsk voted. Regional referendums were held. Doing so reflected real democracy. Ordinary people spoke. They did so overwhelmingly. They did so near unanimously. They rejected Kiev fascists decisively. They were unequivocal. They left no doubt where they stand.
On Monday, Lugansk People's Governor Valery Bolotov went the extra mile. He declared what free people everywhere support. He proclaimed regional self-determination. He spoke for virtually all residents.
"We have chosen our own path of independence from tyranny and bloody dictatorship by Kiev junta, from fascism and nationalism,” said Bolotov. “We have chosen the path of freedom and the rule of law."
Donetsk followed suit. Its People's Republic co-chairman Denis Pushilin declared, "We, the people of Donetsk People's Republic, after the results of the referendum held on May 11, and on the basis of the Donetsk People's Republic's sovereignty declaration, announce that the Republic, from now on, is a sovereign state."
He went further. "To re-establish historical justice, (Pushilin) ask(ed) the Russian Federation (on behalf of regional residents) to consider the request of the Republic to join Russia."
It's a bold step. It's not unexpected. Will Lugansk make the same request? Will other Eastern Ukrainian regions? Will growing numbers of residents demand it? It remains to be seen how Moscow responds.
