Crimea parliamentarians vote to join RussiaMarch 6, 2014 - 15:28 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - MPs in the southern Ukrainian region of Crimea have voted to formally become part of the Russian Federation. Parliament said the decision would be put to the Crimean people for their verdict in a referendum on March 16, BBC News reports. A government minister in Kyiv said they believe it would be unconstitutional for Crimea to join Russia. The announcement from Crimea's parliament comes as EU leaders are meeting in Brussels to discuss how to respond to Russia's troop deployment on Ukrainian soil. The Crimean parliament resolved "to enter into the Russian Federation with the rights of a subject of the Russian Federation". Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian media that President Vladimir Putin had been informed of the Crimean vote. Sources in the Crimean parliament have told the BBC they are now waiting for a response from Moscow to their request for Crimea to become a part of Russia. According to the decree published on the Crimean parliament's website, citizens will be asked in the referendum whether they are in favor of reuniting the region with Russia "as a subject of the Russian Federation" or "retaining the status of Crimea as part of Ukraine". Ukraine's interim Economy Minister Pavlo Sheremeta, speaking in Kyiv soon after the announcement was made, said: "We're not working out what to do if Crimea joins the Russian Federation because we believe it's unconstitutional." Photo: RIA Novosti Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Armenian, Saudi Foreign Minister meet in Riyadh The two commended the positive dynamics of the development of political dialogue between Armenia and Saudi Arabia Pashinyan: Azerbaijan’s proximity shouldn’t worry border residents At the same time, he said that he “does not guarantee [the security of villagers] one hundred percent”. U.S. doesn’t see Russia as contributing to peace in Caucasus Patel made the remarks when asked about the implications of Russia’s withdrawal of peacekeepers from Karabakh. Up to 1% cashback when shopping on Wildberries with IDBank cards IDBank is launching an exclusive campaign on Wildberries for online shopping enthusiasts. |