Donetsk rebels ask to join Russia

Separatists in eastern Ukraine appeal to Moscow to become a part of Russia.

Over the weekend, the region declared victory in a referendum on self-rule.

Some say this means independence.

But others, like Denis Pushilin, leader of the self-declared "Donetsk People's Republic", say they want to see eventual union with Russia.

(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) LEADER OF SELF-PROCLAIMED 'DONETSK PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC', DENIS PUSHILIN, SAYING:

"Based on the will of the people of the Donetsk People's Republic and in order to restore a historic justice, we ask the Russian Federation to consider the absorption of the Donetsk People's Republic into the Russian Federation."

The call is likely to anger the government in Kiev and Western nations that accuse Russia of stirring up unrest in eastern Ukraine.

(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) LEADER OF SELF-PROCLAIMED 'DONETSK PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC', DENIS PUSHILIN, SAYING:

"In a totally different way we look at Russia with which we are