INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Moscow-controlled areas of southern Ukraine could stage a referendum to become part of Russia as early as July, a senior Russian lawmaker
Zaporizhzhia."I don't rule out that this may happen as early as July," said Leonid Slutsky, the head of parliament's foreign affairs
committee and a senior member of Moscow's team of negotiators with Ukraine."I won't predict where it will take place, but I assume that the
called the move to stage the votes in Ukraine "logical".Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops to Ukraine on Feb
officials have indicated Moscow intends to remain in territories it controls in southern Ukraine, such as the Kherson region and large parts
part of Russia.Slutsky's comments follow remarks from another senior lawmaker, Andrei Turchak, who said there was "no doubt" that the four
