ST. PETERSBURG, June 17. /TASS/. People of Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics must decide the status of these republics themselves, and Russia will support any decision, Russian Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko told TASS on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) Friday.
"As for the referendums: there is no need to force things, no need to push anyone towards anything. This must be a free expression of will of the people of Donetsk and Lugansk, and other regions, should it take place. The people must decide on their fate themselves, only the people," Matviyenko noted.
"It must be done within the existing rules. Should the residents of these territories express such desire, intent, then Russia will support any their decision. It must be the will of the people of these territories," she added.
According to Matviyenko, the participation of DPR and LPR representatives in the SPIEF this year indicates that the republics are concerned not only with "rebuilding of the economy, destroyed by the Ukrainians," but also with the perspective, implementation of its economic, industrial potential, with finding partners for cooperation.
The situation at the contact line in Donbass escalated on February 17. Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics reported the most intense shellings by Ukrainian forces in months. On February 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the recognition of sovereignty of the republics within their borders, cemented in their Constitutions. On February 24, Putin announced a special military operation in response to the aid request from DPR and LPR. Simultaneously, DPR and LPR commenced their operations on liberation of territories under Kiev’s control.
About the forum
The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum organized by the Roscongress Foundation is running from June 15 to 18. This year’s forum is dubbed: ‘New Opportunities in a New World’. The SME Forum, the Creative Business Forum, the Drug Security Forum, the SPIEF Junior Dialogue and SPIEF Sport Week are also going to be part of the SPIEF event. TASS serves as the event’s official photo hosting agency and the information partner.