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Lugansk republic marks second anniversary of self-determination referendum

The neighboring self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) marked the anniversary of the referendum on May 11

© Artiom Geodakyan/ITAR-TASS

LUGANSK, May 12. /TASS/. Residents of the self-proclaimed Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR) on Thursday mark the second anniversary of the referendum on self-determination.

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Analyst: Sooner or later Kiev will have to speak with leaders of self-proclaimed republics

Celebrations will be held in central Lugansk on the occasion of the Day of the Republic declared by a decree of LPR leader Igor Plotnitsky.

The neighboring self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) marked the anniversary of the referendum on May 11. Local authorities say this comes as Lugansk announced the results of the referendum on May 12, 2014. In the DPR, the results were declared on the day of holding the vote.

The self-determination referendum was held in spring 2014. The vote was marked by a high turnout - 71% in the DPR and 81% in the LPR. A total of 96.2% of voters were in favor of self-determination in the LPR, and 89.7% - in the DPR. On the following day, May 12, 2014, both republics proclaimed their state sovereignty.

Moscow back then said it respects the expression of will of the Donbass citizens. The Kremlin press service said Russia believes that the practical implementation of the referendums outcome should be in a civilized way without any violence and through dialogue between Kiev, Donetsk and Lugansk. Kiev refused to recognize the referendums.

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