To no one's surprise, Ukraine's
autonomous Crimea region has voted overwhelmingly to break off from Ukraine and
join Russia to join Russia. But what happens next is far from certain.
Diplomatically, Sunday's referendum
has put the United States and Russia on the kind of collision course not seen
since the end of the Cold War. Economically, it's unclear how much such a
coupling will cost Russia. And politically, it's divided Crimeans -- some of
whom think it will bring better pay, and some who see this is a Kremlin land
grab.
An overwhelming 96.7% of Crimea
chose the option of annexation by Moscow. Turnout was 83%.
On Monday, lawmakers in Crimea
approved a resolution that declared the Black Sea peninsula an independent,
sovereign state. They then filed an appeal to join Russia.
Moscow strongly backed Sunday's
referendum; the majority of the population is ethnic Russian. And Russian
lawmakers have said they will welcome Crimea with open arms.
Russian President Vladimir Putin
will address a joint session of parliament on Crimea on Tuesday.
But the backlash to the referendum
has been harsh from the West.
EU foreign ministers were meeting in
Brussels Monday to discuss sanctions against Russia.
"I don't have to remind any of
you that it's illegal under the constitution of Ukraine and under international
law" European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said.
Speaking ahead of the meeting which
may look at asset freezes as well as travel restrictions, she called on Russia
"yet again" to meet with Ukrainian leaders and try to move towards
de-escalation. But she said: "We've seen no evidence of that."
The White House said it won't
recognize the outcome, saying the vote was "administered under threats of
violence and intimidation from a Russian military intervention that violates
international law."
Moscow strongly backed Sunday's
referendum in the Black Sea peninsula where the majority of the population is
ethnic Russian.
Source:CNN
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