From FOREIGN POLICY:
Crimea Votes to Secede From Ukraine
Crimea: The majority of Crimea's residents voted to secede from Ukraine on Sunday, with 95 percent of voters supporting the measure with half of the votes counted. Russia will discuss a bill that would create a legal framework to annex Crimea on March 21.
The United States and Europe have refused to recognize the results, calling the vote illegal. "This referendum is contrary to Ukraine's constitution, and the international community will not recognize the results of a poll administered under threats of violence and intimidation from a Russian military intervention that violates international law," said White House Press Secretary Jay Carney. All 28 members of the European Union issued similar statements decrying the referendum.
In response to Russia, the United States is preparing to freeze assets and ban visas for members of Putin's inner circle and several powerful oligarchs, in addition to broader sanctions. Sanctions from Europe, which is also considering punitive measures, have the potential to be more biting for Russia, but could also destabilize Europe's newly recovered economies.
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Crimea, despite its vote to join Russia, remains reliant on Ukraine for 70 percent of its water and 90 percent of its electricity.
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