The parliament of the region of Crimea has adopted a declaration of independence from Ukraine.

The declaration specifies that Crimea will become an independent state if around two million residents vote in favor of joining Russia in a referendum scheduled for Sunday.

Last Thursday, the Crimean parliament voted to become part of Russia. Ukrainian authorities have dismissed the upcoming referendum as "illegal," saying it violates the country’s constitution.

On Friday, Ukrainian Parliament Speaker Alexandr Turchynov, who is also the country’s acting president, signed a decree vetoing the referendum. He also threatened to dissolve the Crimean parliament. Meanwhile some ethnic groups living in the peninsula have said they would boycott the referendum.

A statue of Lenin is seen near the government building in Simferopol, capital of Ukraine's Autonomous Republic of Crimea, on March 10, 2014. The parliament of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea on Tuesday adopted a declaration of independence from Ukraine. The declaration specifies that Crimea will become independent if around 2 million residents vote in favor of joining Russia in the referendum scheduled for Sunday. [Xinhua]

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)