Zakharchenko: A referendum to join Russia would be 'premature'
During the "direct line with the people of the Donbas," the ‘DPR leader,’ Alexander Zakharchenko said he believes it is premature to hold a referendum on the accession of the self- proclaimed republic to the Russian Federation as it may disrupt the negotiations in Minsk.
"Can we address the issue of accession to Russia today if we all agree? Frankly speaking, I’m not sure. Has anybody asked Russia about that? We need both sides for reunification. Have we taken into account the political risks for our republic? Because it would be the end of the Minsk process and the ceasefire," the separatist leader said, replying to a question concerning the prospect of a referendum on the accession to the Russian Federation. As was reported recently, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia will not recognize the so-called DPR and LPR, because such recognition is counterproductive.
After that, suggestions that "Putin betrayed Novorossiya" have been widely disseminated among the fighters of the "DPR" and that in the near future they shouldn’t expect "any help from Russia," and that the Minsk dialogue is just a way for Moscow to give up the occupied territories diplomatically.
In 2015, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko allowed the holding a referendum on the condition that the Donbas is a part of Ukraine. The representatives of the "DPR" rejected this opportunity.