The self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) has made a plea asking to be accepted into the Russian Federation, the republic’s co-leader, Denis Pushilin, told a news conference on Monday.

“We, the people of the Donetsk People’s Republic, relying on the results of the May 11, 2014 referendum and the declaration of independence of the Donetsk People’s Republic, declare that from now on the Donetsk People’s Republic is a sovereign state,” Pushilin said.

“Proceeding from the will expressed by the DPR people and for the sake of restoring historical justice we are asking Russia to consider the issue of the DPR’s admission to the Russian Federation,” Pushilin said.

May 11, Luhansk and Donetsk regions of Ukraine held referenda on their status. According to data provided by central election committees, amid the punitive operation being carried out by Kiev authorities in Ukraine’s east, about 80% of registered voters in the Donetsk region and almost the same number in the Luhansk region took part in the polls. According to preliminary reports, 89.7% voted for the independence of the Donetsk Republic. In the Luhansk region, 96.2% casted voted for the act on state independence.

Copyright Itar Tass, 2014