Separatists in Ukraine debate Putin's referendum call

Pro-Russian militants in eastern Ukraine stand on guard.

Here in Luhansk they've been occupying government buildings for weeks...

Behind these walls people have been busy setting up what they call an election commission.

Printers both here and in Donetsk have been churning out millions of ballots... for referendums on Sunday on whether to separate from Ukraine.

Moscow has vowed to protect the rights of the mostly Russian-speaking majority in the south and east against the government in Kiev.

But now Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to be making a shift in policy.

(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING:

"We call on the representatives of southeastern Ukraine, the supporters of the federalisation of the country, to postpone the referendum planned for May 11 this year."

Separatist leaders say they will put the matter before "people's councils".

SOUNDBITE) (Russian) PRESS OFFICER OF THE 'ARMY OF THE SOUTH