Crimea votes to join Russia, Obama orders sanctions
- 10 years ago
A dramatic escalation of the crisis over the Ukraine's Crimea.
Pro-Moscow forces seized the mainly ethnic Russian region after Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovich was ousted.
Now Crimea's parliament has voted to join Russia and a referendum has been set in 10 days.
The move drew a sharp response from US President Barack Obama.
SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYING:
. The proposed referendum on the future of Crimea would violate the Ukrainian constitution and violate international law. Any discussion about the future of Ukraine must include the legitimate government of Ukraine. In 2014, we are well beyond the days when borders can be redrawn over the heads of democratic leaders.
The US has issued visa restrictions on officials responsible for the military intervention and a freezing of assets.
The announcement came after crisis talks in Rome with EU ministers, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavror and U.S. Secretary of Stat
Pro-Moscow forces seized the mainly ethnic Russian region after Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovich was ousted.
Now Crimea's parliament has voted to join Russia and a referendum has been set in 10 days.
The move drew a sharp response from US President Barack Obama.
SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYING:
. The proposed referendum on the future of Crimea would violate the Ukrainian constitution and violate international law. Any discussion about the future of Ukraine must include the legitimate government of Ukraine. In 2014, we are well beyond the days when borders can be redrawn over the heads of democratic leaders.
The US has issued visa restrictions on officials responsible for the military intervention and a freezing of assets.
The announcement came after crisis talks in Rome with EU ministers, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavror and U.S. Secretary of Stat