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Kiev hopes to resolve crisis in eastern Ukraine soon – acting president

14 April 2014, 16:30 -- Kiev hopes to resolve the crisis in eastern Ukraine soon, acting President Turchynov said Monday, a day after the country's special forces launched an operation to suppress pro-federalization protesters in the region.

'I am sure that soon the situation in the Donbas will be completely stabilized with the support of the people of the Donetsk region,' Turchynov said during a meeting with leaders of parliament, RIA reports.

The interim president announced plans Sunday to launch a full-scale anti-terrorist operation to include army units, against pro-federalization protesters, giving them a deadline of 10 a.m. Moscow time on Monday to lay down their arms.

Protesters in Donetsk Region, part of the Donets Basin (Donbas) industrial zone in eastern Ukraine, said they had no plans to leave the government buildings they seized last week despite the deadline.

Turchynov said Monday a nationwide referendum could be held alongside presidential elections on May 25 to grant the Russian-speaking eastern Ukrainian regions greater autonomy.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov expressed doubts Monday that the coup-imposed Ukrainian authorities could open up their eyes and invite representatives from all regions in the country to talks in an effort to work out a constitution that would ensure the interests of all Ukrainians.

'I suspect that those who seized power in Kiev are not thinking about this now,' Lavrov said, commenting on the right of pro-federalization protesters in southeastern Ukraine to rally.

Beginning last month, protests have routinely rocked the eastern Ukrainian cities of Donetsk, Lugansk and Kharkov, with citizens demanding referendums on their regions' status within the country.

The protests have spread to other towns in the Donetsk region, including Slavyansk, Mariupol, Yenakiyevo and Kramatorsk.

Last Monday, pro-federalization activists declared the formation of the independent People's Republic of Kharkov and Donetsk People's Republic.

Source: http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_04_14/Kiev-hopes-to- resolve-crisis-in-eastern-Ukraine-soon-acting-president-1495/