The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Sunday said in a statement that it “regrets” the referendum in Ukraine.

Commenting on referendums held Sunday in Ukraine, a FCO spokesperson claimed to be “regrettable,” adding that Ukrainians will have “a proper opportunity to express their democratic choice in the forthcoming presidential elections” in Ukraine May 25, Xinhua reported.

“The UK agrees that we should all work together to restore stability, security and prosperity in the region,” the spokesperson noted.

Residents in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions went to vote Sunday in referendums aimed at seeking independence from the country. If the majority of local population votes to leave Ukraine, organisers plan to hold a second round May 18 to ask voters whether they want to join Russia.

The referendums were held after Crimea joined Russia March 18 following an independence referendum in the region, which was not recognised by the West.

On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin asked the protesters in Donetsk and Lugansk to postpone their referendums and seek dialogue with Ukrainian authorities. But the protesters ignored his plea.