Ukraine’s Crimea seeks to become independent state

Flowers placed by people in memory of those who died in late February’s clashes are lit by the early morning sun in Kiev’s Independence Square, Ukraine, Tuesday, March 11, 2014. AP
KIEV, Ukraine — The Crimean parliament has voted that the Black Sea peninsula will declare itself an independent state if its residents vote to split off from Ukraine and join Russia in a referendum on Sunday.
Crimea’s regional legislature on Tuesday adopted a “declaration of independence of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.”
The document specified that Crimea will become an independent state if its residents vote in favor of joining Russia in the referendum.
Western nations have said they will not recognize the vote as legitimate.
RELATED STORIES
Obama meets with Ukraine prime minister Wednesday
Crimea’s new leader, a man with a murky past
Obama vs Putin: Getting personal over Crimea
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.