Voting Under Way in Crimea Referendum to Join Russia
As voting continues in Crimea on a referendum to break away from Ukraine and become a part of Russia, the United States and Russia have agreed to push for Ukrainian constitutional reforms as a solution to its political crisis.
During a phone call Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry told Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov the United States will not recognize the referendum. But Kerry and Lavrov agreed to seek a solution to the crisis in Ukraine by supporting constitutional reforms that include power sharing and decentralization.
Reuters news service reports Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk is vowing to track down those promoting separatism in Crimea. He said Ukraine will find all ringleaders of separatism who are trying to destroy Ukrainian independence.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's acting defense minister told reporters the defense ministries of Ukraine and Russia have agreed on a truce in Crimea until March 21.
Defense Minister Ihor Tenyukh said an agreement has been reached with Russia's Black Sea fleet, which is stationed in Crimea, that no measure will be taken against Ukrainian military facilities during the truce. He said Urkaine's military sites are now replenishing their supplies.
During a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel proposed an Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe mission in Ukraine be expanded immediately.
The voting in Crimea comes one day after Russia vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution urging countries not to recognize the outcome of the referendum, which is widely expected to result in a vote to join Russia. Thirteen other members voted for it while China abstained, saying the resolution would lead to confrontation and complications.
Crimea is a primarily ethnic-Russian majority region of Ukraine. Moscow says it has the right to protect its interests in Crimea.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said Saturday Russian forces have seized the Ukrainian village of Strilkove, near the Crimean border.
There are no reports of shots being fired, but the Ministry calls the takeover an "invasion" and demands the Russian soldiers leave. Ukrainian border guards say the Russians are guarding a gas pumping station in the town.
White House Spokesman Jay Carney on Sunday promised a swift response to any additional Russian advances into Ukraine.
“There most definitely will be additional costs if Russia escalates this conflict rather than de-escalates. And they will be imposed by the United States, but also by our European partners,” Carney said.
fuente: La Voz de América, http://www.voanews.com/content/voting-under-way-in-crimea-referendum-to-join-russia/1872380.html
During a phone call Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry told Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov the United States will not recognize the referendum. But Kerry and Lavrov agreed to seek a solution to the crisis in Ukraine by supporting constitutional reforms that include power sharing and decentralization.
Reuters news service reports Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk is vowing to track down those promoting separatism in Crimea. He said Ukraine will find all ringleaders of separatism who are trying to destroy Ukrainian independence.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's acting defense minister told reporters the defense ministries of Ukraine and Russia have agreed on a truce in Crimea until March 21.
Defense Minister Ihor Tenyukh said an agreement has been reached with Russia's Black Sea fleet, which is stationed in Crimea, that no measure will be taken against Ukrainian military facilities during the truce. He said Urkaine's military sites are now replenishing their supplies.
During a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel proposed an Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe mission in Ukraine be expanded immediately.
The voting in Crimea comes one day after Russia vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution urging countries not to recognize the outcome of the referendum, which is widely expected to result in a vote to join Russia. Thirteen other members voted for it while China abstained, saying the resolution would lead to confrontation and complications.
Crimea is a primarily ethnic-Russian majority region of Ukraine. Moscow says it has the right to protect its interests in Crimea.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said Saturday Russian forces have seized the Ukrainian village of Strilkove, near the Crimean border.
There are no reports of shots being fired, but the Ministry calls the takeover an "invasion" and demands the Russian soldiers leave. Ukrainian border guards say the Russians are guarding a gas pumping station in the town.
White House Spokesman Jay Carney on Sunday promised a swift response to any additional Russian advances into Ukraine.
“There most definitely will be additional costs if Russia escalates this conflict rather than de-escalates. And they will be imposed by the United States, but also by our European partners,” Carney said.
fuente: La Voz de América, http://www.voanews.com/content/voting-under-way-in-crimea-referendum-to-join-russia/1872380.html
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