BRUSSELS
The European Union's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton reaffirmed on Monday that EU would not recognize any of the "so-called" and "illegitimate" referendums staged Sunday in parts of eastern Ukraine.
"We were very clear as well in our position regarding the so-called 'referenda:' The EU will not recognise any illegitimate and illegal 'referenda,'" Aston said after a meeting at EU's Foreign Affairs Council.
She urged Russia to take effective steps to fulfil its commitments made in April 17's Geneva Statement, which sets steps to de-escalate tensions and restore security for all citizens in Ukraine.
At the meeting, the council agreed on a new set of sanctions against 13 people considered responsible for the crisis. The latest set of sanctions brought the number of people subject to asset and travel bans to 61.
"The EU gives its strong support for the holding of free and fair presidential elections on 25 May. This is an opportunity for the people of Ukraine to decide on their own future," Ashton said.
In Donetsk, Denis Pushilin, leader of the city's self-proclaimed People's Republic, declared “victory” in after Sunday's vote, saying the people have chosen independence.
"We would like to join Russia," Pushlin added as he said a further referendum would be held to determine whether the newly proclaimed federation would join with Russia or stay with Ukraine.
Around 3 million people voted in the self-rule referendums, a turnout of 74.5 percent, Pushilin and chairman of the election committee, Roman Lyagin, have told a press conference.
Lyagin also said that 89 percent of voters said yes to self-rule, which he said was a significant success for the pro-Russian separatists.
Furthermore Pushilin said that from now on the only point of negotiation with the Kiev administration could be the issue of hostage exchange, adding that Russia could mediate in this process.
Ukraine's interim president has slammed "self-rule" polls saying the votes have no "legal basis" and the organizers would be "punished."
Pro-Russian groups declared victory with nearly 90 percent of the vote in favor of “self-rule” referendums designed to split from Ukraine.
Oleksandr Turchynov on Monday described the referendums as a "propaganda farce without any legal basis."
He said his government was ready to hold talks with pro-Russian "rebels who do not have blood on their hands."
The votes were welcomed by Russia with the Kremlin press office saying that Russia respected "the freedom of expression" of the Ukrainian people in Donetsk and Luhansk. The Kremlin said the voter turnout in the controversial referendums was "very high" and that results of the voting should be implemented without any further outbreaks of violence.
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