On Monday, Russia requested that eastern Ukraine implement the debated results of Sunday's referendum to secede from Ukraine in a "civilized" manner. 

While Russia is urging that the changes be implemented in a civilized way, the European Union is threatening the country with economic sanctions depending upon Moscow's response to the vote, USA Today reports. 

Pro-Russia separatists said voters in Donetsk, a pro-Russia stronghold in east Ukraine, voted for autonomy from Ukraine in the referendum Sunday. However, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry disputed the validity of the elections, calling it a "criminal farce."

Organizers of the elections said that about 90 percent of voters in east Ukraine supported the region's sovereignty. Yet, both the Ukraine government and the West consider the referendum invalid. 

Moscow said the region's move toward sovereignty should be implemented in a non-violent way, according to Russia's Interfax news agency. 

Moscow raised the suggestion that the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe be utilized to help facilitate a peaceful dialogue between the east Ukraine territories and Ukraine's government in Kiev. 

"These processes are inspired by the leadership of the Russian Federation and are destructive to the Donetsk and Luhansk regions' economies and threaten the lives and welfare of citizens and have the aim of destabilizing the situation in Ukraine," said acting Ukrainian President Oleksander Turchinov. 

Voters in Donetsk said they were divided on whether to vote for the region's autonomy or remain with Ukraine. A number of voters said they were intimidated by armed pro-Russia militants who were occupying regional council buildings in the city's center. Some who were opposed to the secession said they simply didn't vote. 

"There is no third way anymore. You have to be either for or against. But why should I hate my own country? So they proclaim independence, but then what?" said Vyacheslav Fomenko, an entrepreneur who lives in Donetsk.

The insurgents who set up the referendum said the future status of the regions will be discussed soon, which may result in the secession of the regions and/or the annexation of the regions by Russia. 

Both Kiev and the West said the vote is a violation of international law, and accuse Moscow of inciting turmoil in Ukraine shortly after the country annexed Crimea.