The parliament of Crimea, a majority ethnic Russian region within Ukraine, decided Thursday to secede from the country and become part of Russia.
A popular vote to approve that decision or restore the 1992 Crimean Constitution, whereby the peninsula would remain an autonomous republic within Ukraine, is scheduled for March 16, according to a statement posted on the legislature's website.
The ballot, to be printed in the Russian, Ukrainian and Tatar languages, will include only those two questions, according to the statement. Neither question would allow voters to indicate a preference for independence.
Rallies around the predominantly Russian-speaking peninsula following the formation of the new government in Kiev have openly called for secession and annexation by Russia.
Crimean officials have refused to recognize as legitimate the new central government in Kiev, which ousted President Viktor Yanukovych on February 22.
Thousands of troops apparently under Russian command but lacking official insignia have taken control over Ukrainian military bases across Crimea in the past week.
Russia’s parliament has approved military intervention in Ukraine, but President Vladimir Putin has denied that troops have been deployed and has called the masked soldiers “local militia.”
http://indian.ruvr.ru/news/2014_03_06/Crimea-s-Supreme-Council-makes-fundamental-decision-to-join-Russia-as-federal-subject-0914/
6/3/14
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Bill on simplified procedure of accession to Russia may be adopted next week...
ReplyDeleteA bill on simplified procedure of accession of some part of a foreign country to Russia may be adopted next week, says A Just Russia party leader Sergei Mironov.
http://en.itar-tass.com/russia/722389?utm_medium=rss20
6/3/14
U.S. Foreign Policy Toward Ukraine. -Eric Rubin....
ReplyDeleteAs prepared
Chairman Royce, Ranking Member Engel, members of this Committee, I am grateful for the opportunity to speak to you today on U.S. foreign policy toward Ukraine.
Let me begin by thanking this Committee for its deep engagement on this issue. In our efforts to back the aspirations of the Ukrainian people, we have been heartened by the robust bipartisan support that we have received from this Committee and from Congress more broadly. House Resolution 447 introduced by Ranking Member Engel and passed by the House on February 10, sent a powerful message that the American people stand wholly and unequivocally with the people of Ukraine in their hour of need.
We have had close and constant contact with Congress in every step of this grave situation. Our united efforts have demonstrated to the people of Ukraine and to the international community that the United States is resolute in its support of Ukraine’s desire for a democratic, peaceful, and prosperous future..................http://www.state.gov/p/eur/rls/rm/2014/mar/223023.htm
6/3/14