Russia says east Ukraine rebel leaders have 'mandate' to negotiate with Kiev - agency

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said on Monday that newly elected leaders in eastern Ukrainian separatist regions have a "mandate" to negotiate with Kiev, Interfax news agency reported.

"The elected representatives of Donetsk and Luhansk regions obtained a mandate to hold negotiations with central Ukrainian authorities to solve problems... via a political dialogue," he said.

Interfax reported him as echoing a statement from the Foreign Ministry that Russia will "respect the will of the people of southeast" Ukraine.

(Writing by Katya Golubkova, Editing by Thomas Grove)