Moscow, May 12 (IANS): Russia said Monday it respects the choice of people in Donetsk and Lugansk regions in Ukraine, and hoped for implementation of the referendum results to be processed along civilised lines.
"We have taken note of the high voter turnout despite attempts to derail the voting and we condemn the force used, including military hardware, against civilians, which lead to fatalities," the Kremlin press service said in a statement.
Moscow called for dialogue between Kiev authorities and those two regions, saying "all mediation efforts, including by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, are welcome", Xinhua reported.
Local residents in Donetsk and Lugansk went to the polls Sunday in referendums aimed at seeking independence from Ukraine.
The final results are yet to be announced.