Pro-Russian separatists are holding elections in eastern Ukraine.

The regions of Donetsk and Luhansk are voting on severing ties with Ukraine. Russia has said it will recognise the result but the contest has been denounced as illegitimate by Kyiv, the European Union and the United States.

Nonetheless, Alexander Zakharchenko, leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk’s People Republic, said nothing had been decided. “We will negotiate after the election and assess Kyiv’s position.”