Residents of the troubled Crimea region are set to hold a referendum on Sunday March 16th, 2014 to determine whether or not they want to stay connected to Ukraine or move their country more toward Russia and Vladimir Putin’s sphere of influence. The move by the new interim government that replaced the pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovich, who fled to Russia in late February after months of protest against his government, has been seen as a chance by Russia to help it rebuild its post-Soviet Union territory in the Eastern bloc territories.
In a statement released on Friday during a meeting between Russian prime minister Sergey Lavrov, and United States secretary of State John Kerry, prime minister Lavrov was quoted as saying “ Russia will respect the results of the referendum”. “I presented a number of Ideas on behalf of the president” secretary of state Kerry said on Friday, none of which were accepted by Russia.
On Wednesday, Russian light infantry units were seen moving along the Ukraine- Russian border North East of Crimea near the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. 1,500 paratroopers who were stationed in Ivanovo were also flown to the Belgorod region for training. “After much discussion, the foreign minister made it clear that president Putin is not prepared to make any decision on Ukraine until after the referendum on Sunday” secretary of Kerry went onto say.
As Crimea Holds Referendum
President Obama added “there will be consequences” in referring to the upcoming vote on Sunday and if Russia decides to annex Crimea into its territory. Many of the threats of retaliation against Russia from the Obama administration have been through the form of economic measures, such as threats of Sanctions against the Russian government and banks. On Friday, the Obama administration announced that Vice president Biden will be visiting Poland and Lithuania, a move that is seen to help re-assure American support for allies who were once part of the Soviet Empire.
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