Ukraine Rebels Seek to Join Russia as Gas Deadline Set
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Rebels in eastern Ukraine said they’re seeking to join Russia after disputed referendums yesterday as the government in Kiev was handed a deadline to pay for Russian gas to prevent supplies being cut off.
The self-styled Donetsk People’s Republic declared itself a sovereign state today after saying 90 percent of voters backed breaking away from Ukraine yesterday. Separatists in neighboring Luhansk announced a similar move. Russia’s state-controlled gas monopoly, OAO Gazprom, said Ukraine must pay for next month’s supplies by June 2 or face a shutoff the next day.