DONETSK, November 2 (RIA Novosti) – The prime minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic in eastern Ukraine said on Sunday that Donetsk authorities are prepared to speak with anyone who is willing to listen.
"Today we have made one more step in building the republic. We're ready to speak with everyone who can speak with a reasonable voice, who's ready to speak with us," Prime Minister Alexander Zakharchenko said.
Voters in Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics are electing on Sunday the heads of local government and legislatures. Kiev and several western countries said they will not recognize the results of this vote and repeatedly called it illegitimate.
In April, Ukrainian authorities launched a military operation in the country's southeast, where independence supporters refused to accept the new government that came to power following a coup in February.
Donetsk and Luhansk held referendums in May on self-determination. Over 90 percent of the voters cast their votes for greater autonomy. The territories declared themselves sovereign states as a result.
