Ukraine's Crimea Raises Tension by Setting Secession Vote

[Purveyor]

Western Diplomats Convene in Rome in Bid to Resolve Ukrainian CrisisWestern Diplomats Convene in Rome in Bid to Resolve Ukrainian Crisis

Updated March 6, 2014 3:07 p.m. ET

The Moscow-backed government of Crimea set a referendum in 10 days to ratify its decision to secede from Ukraine and join Russia, dramatically escalating tension as the West tries to negotiate a withdrawal of Russian troops from the area.

The step Thursday came as Western diplomats were huddled in Rome with their Russian counterparts to end the political standoff, and just two days after President Vladimir Putin said Russia wasn't interested in annexing Crimea.

U.S. and European leaders said such a referendum would violate the Ukrainian constitution and international law.

"Any discussion about the future of Ukraine must include the legitimate government of Ukraine," President Barack Obama said at the White House. "In 2014, we are well beyond the days when borders can be redrawn over the heads of democratic leaders."

A Russian move to absorb Crimea against the will of Ukraine's national government in Kiev would mark the first time since World War II that such a maneuver had been attempted in Europe.

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[Gravitycollapse]

1. If a semi-autonomous region wishes to join another inviting nation state...

I support their decision. No one owns Crimea excepting its residents. I believe that to be fundamentally true to all places on Earth.

What must be investigated, however, is whether or not the Crimean citizens actually endorse such a move in order to make sure this is not the product of a corrupt decision.

[GRACIEBIRD]

2. +1000 nt

[polly7]

3. That's it exactly.

And, I hope the decision of the majority is accepted by both the Ukraine and the rest of the world so against them deciding their own fate.

[geek tragedy]

4. I would agree, provided that there are no occupying troops

and that international observers monitor the elections.

[Gravitycollapse]

5. The problem is that Ukraine likely will not allow such elections to happen.

Or, at the very least, they will be strongly averse.

[amandabeech]

6. Ukraine probably can't do anything about the actual vote, since the road to

Crimea is blocked and the Ukrainian military bases and airports have been seized by the Russians.

However, under the Ukrainian constitution, all of Ukraine must vote on the secession of a part.

The nation-wide vote is scheduled for May, and it does not appear that Crimea is attempting to have the secession measure on the ballot.

I doubt that Ukraine or the West will recognize the vote in Crimea, but there's not much that can be done about it.