02:13Mariupol and Volnovakha citizens shared their expectations for the future and the referendum to join the Russian Federation on Saturday, amid international pushback.
One of the residents, Galina, shared her hopes for the future, saying 'the city will be rebuilt and would be even more beautiful than before.'
"People will be kind and return home, [those] who have left. [There is] a hope for the future and for the best. We certainly hope very much," Galina added.
Another resident noted that he was optimistic about the voting to join Russia.
"What hopes do I have? Naturally me, like everyone else, wished [to become part of] Russia, so [our] destiny is tied to Russia," Sergei said.
The local governments of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, as well as those established in Kherson and Zaporozhye after the regions came under Russian control, announced earlier this week that the referendum would take place on September 23-27.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was ready to support the decisions of the areas, with Russia prepared to 'ensure safe conditions' for the votes and let people 'express their will'.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the 'pseudo-referendum', while his press secretary Sergei Nikiforov claimed that the action meant there would be no chance of a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan described them as 'sham referenda', while President Joe Biden said 'Russia has violated the basic principles of the UN Charter' and had also made 'open nuclear threats against Europe'.
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said their countries would not recognise the results, while EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell said those involved in organising them 'will be held accountable'. Moscow launched the military offensive in Ukraine earlier this year, after recognising the independence of the LPR and DPR.
Kiev condemned the action, while Zelensky ordered martial law and full mobilisation in February.
DPR: 'People will be kind and return home' - Mariupol and Volnovakha residents on referendum expectations amid international pushback
Mariupol and Volnovakha citizens shared their expectations for the future and the referendum to join the Russian Federation on Saturday, amid international pushback.
One of the residents, Galina, shared her hopes for the future, saying 'the city will be rebuilt and would be even more beautiful than before.'
"People will be kind and return home, [those] who have left. [There is] a hope for the future and for the best. We certainly hope very much," Galina added.
Another resident noted that he was optimistic about the voting to join Russia.
"What hopes do I have? Naturally me, like everyone else, wished [to become part of] Russia, so [our] destiny is tied to Russia," Sergei said.
The local governments of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, as well as those established in Kherson and Zaporozhye after the regions came under Russian control, announced earlier this week that the referendum would take place on September 23-27.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was ready to support the decisions of the areas, with Russia prepared to 'ensure safe conditions' for the votes and let people 'express their will'.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the 'pseudo-referendum', while his press secretary Sergei Nikiforov claimed that the action meant there would be no chance of a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan described them as 'sham referenda', while President Joe Biden said 'Russia has violated the basic principles of the UN Charter' and had also made 'open nuclear threats against Europe'.
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said their countries would not recognise the results, while EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell said those involved in organising them 'will be held accountable'. Moscow launched the military offensive in Ukraine earlier this year, after recognising the independence of the LPR and DPR.
Kiev condemned the action, while Zelensky ordered martial law and full mobilisation in February.
Mariupol and Volnovakha citizens shared their expectations for the future and the referendum to join the Russian Federation on Saturday, amid international pushback.
One of the residents, Galina, shared her hopes for the future, saying 'the city will be rebuilt and would be even more beautiful than before.'
"People will be kind and return home, [those] who have left. [There is] a hope for the future and for the best. We certainly hope very much," Galina added.
Another resident noted that he was optimistic about the voting to join Russia.
"What hopes do I have? Naturally me, like everyone else, wished [to become part of] Russia, so [our] destiny is tied to Russia," Sergei said.
The local governments of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, as well as those established in Kherson and Zaporozhye after the regions came under Russian control, announced earlier this week that the referendum would take place on September 23-27.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was ready to support the decisions of the areas, with Russia prepared to 'ensure safe conditions' for the votes and let people 'express their will'.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the 'pseudo-referendum', while his press secretary Sergei Nikiforov claimed that the action meant there would be no chance of a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan described them as 'sham referenda', while President Joe Biden said 'Russia has violated the basic principles of the UN Charter' and had also made 'open nuclear threats against Europe'.
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said their countries would not recognise the results, while EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell said those involved in organising them 'will be held accountable'. Moscow launched the military offensive in Ukraine earlier this year, after recognising the independence of the LPR and DPR.
Kiev condemned the action, while Zelensky ordered martial law and full mobilisation in February.