Crimea is voting on whether to rejoin Russia or stay with Ukraine but with more autonomy. The referendum has been condemned as illegal by Kiev and the West but is backed by Moscow. Since the fall of Ukraines pro-Moscow President Viktor Yanukovych, Russian troops have in effect taken control of the majority ethnic-Russian region. Voters are expected to support leaving Ukraine, but Crimean Tatars are boycotting the poll. The BBCs Ben Brown at a polling station in the Crimean capital, Simferopol, reported a strong turnout - with 100 people arriving in the first 10 minutes after polls opened. Russia earlier vetoeda draft UN resolution criticising the vote - the only Security Council member to do so. The US-drafted document was supported by 13 Council members. China, regarded as a Russian ally on many issues, abstained from the poll. Beijing has said it supports Ukraines territorial integrity. The US and EU had warned they would impose further tough sanctions on Russian officials if the referendum went ahead
Posted on: Sun, 16 Mar 2014 09:16:45 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015