Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said last night that talks with Russia will be impossible if referendums are held in the occupied regions of Ukraine.

Russian forces and their separatist allies now control large parts of the Donbass territory in the east of Ukraine as well as in the south of the country, reports the Telegraph.

The authorities there have announced that referendums can be organized.

And in his address last night, Zelensky said that Kiev stands behind its positions, and that it will not give up even an inch of land - which the Russians hope can be given to you.

"The position of our country remains what it has always been.

We will not give up anything that is ours.

If the occupiers start holding pseudo-referendums, we will stop the talks," added Zelensky.

Ukrainian and Russian representatives have held a series of meetings since the beginning of the Russian occupation of Ukraine.

But so far no progress has been made, and since the end of spring there have been no meetings - and for this both sides accuse each other.

Russian forces control most of Kherson in southern Ukraine, and local separatist officials have warned that referendums could be held to join Russia.

Pro-Russian separatists have held referendums on the independence of Donbass, declaring it a so-called People's Republic.

/Telegraph/