DHAKA: Pro-Russian activists in eastern Ukraine have said they will not postpone a referendum on independence planned for Sunday.

The decision comes one day after Russian president Vladimir Putin urged delaying the vote to create the conditions necessary for dialogue.

But Ukrainian authorities said ‘anti-terror’ operations would continue regardless of the rebels’ decision.

Millions of ballot papers have been prepared for the vote.

In what appeared to be a further shift in Russian policy, Putin also said on Wednesday that this month’s presidential elections in Ukraine were a move ‘in the right direction’.

His remarks came days after his spokesman said holding such an election would be absurd.

Moscow has vowed to protect the rights of the largely Russian-speaking people in the south and east against what it calls an undemocratic government in Kiev.

But Ukrainian interim prime minister Arseniy Yatseniyuk dismissed Putin’s calls as ‘hot air’, reports the BBC.

BDST: 1643 HRS, MAY 08, 2014