Polling stations have now opened in Eastern Ukraine where people will go to the polls in a referendum to decide on whether the region will be governed by Kiev or Moscow.

But, according to the leaders of France and Germany, today's referendum in eastern Ukraine is illegal.

The French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel fear it will lead to further destabilisation of Ukraine.

Although a 'yes' vote would likely only be recognised by Russia, it's feared it would greatly undermine a presidential election that Ukraine is to hold in two weeks time.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says the country's presidential election in a fortnight must go ahead: