MOSCOW, May 12. /ITAR-TASS/. The results of the May 11 independence referenda in Luhansk and Donetsk regions of Ukraine should be translated into life through negotiations between them and Kiev, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday, May 12

“Despite attempts by the Kiev authorities to upset the voting, including by using militants, heavy weaponry, national radicals and the army against the peaceful people, which resulted in the loss of life, people expressed their will in these regions with a high turnout,” the ministry said.

“The preliminary results of vote counting convincingly show the real determination of the people in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions to have a right to make their own decisions on issues concerning their vital interests. We think that the results of the referendum should be translated into life through a dialogue between Kiev, Donetsk and Luhansk,” the ministry said.

“Once again we reaffirm the need for starting immediately a broad discussion with all political forces and regions in Ukraine on its future state system. This is consistent with the international efforts reflected in the Geneva Statement of April 17 and the roadmap proposed by Swiss President and Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE [Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe] Didier Burkhalter,” the ministry said.

“We expect the Kiev authorities to take real steps, not just make general declarations, and immediately organize productive meetings with representatives of the South and East of Ukraine, which would lead to stabilization in the country. Unfortunately, the Kiev authorities continue to show criminal unpreparedness for dialogue with the people,” the ministry said.