KIEV, April 07. /ITAR-TASS/. The members of the regional legislature in Ukraine’s industrial region of Donetsk have proclaimed it People’s Republic, local mass media reports.

An Act on State Sovereignty of the Donetsk People’s Republic was read out Monday at a session of the regional council.

The republic “will build its relations in line with international law and on the basis of equality and mutual benefits,” the document says.

“The territory of the republic within the recognized borders is indivisible and inviolable,” the council said.

The legislators also passed a decision on holding a referendum on whether or not the region should join the Russian Federation. It will be held no later than May 11.

On this background, residents of the city of Donetsk, the administrative center of Ukraine’s vital heavily industrialized Donbass Coalfields area, were holding an action of protest in front of the building of the Regional State Administration. The gathering was chanting ‘Russia, Russia!’ and waving the Russian flags.

In the meantime, a Russian tricolor that was hoisted on a mast in front of the building Sunday has been replaced with a larger one.

Earlier it was also reported that the legislature of just-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic asked the Russian president to move in temporary peacekeeping contingent.