After claiming an overwhelming mandate in a questionable secession vote, pro-Moscow separatists in Eastern Ukraine are asking to be absorbed by the Russian Federation.  The self-declared leaders of the “Donetsk People’s Republic” are also demanding that Ukrainian security forces leave the territory.

This weekend’s referenda are raising fears that Ukraine is hurtling ever faster towards all out civil war.  The separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk say 89 percent and 96 percent respectively voted in favor of “self-rule”.  Reporters said the vote was chaotic at best, and didn't seem to follow any established procedure for ensuring a far and accurate ballot.  Donetsk declared independence from Kiev on Monday afternoon and initiated a request to join Russia.

But Moscow offered a little temperance, suggesting that the Donetsk and Luhansk requests would not be handled in the fast track way that Crimea had been two months ago.  The Kremlin released a statement that read in part, “In Moscow, we respect the will of the people of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and are counting on practical implementation of the outcome of the referendum in a civilized manner, without any repeat of violence and through dialogue.”

Kiev, the US, and the EU all denounced the secession votes.