Ukraine's Crimea to Hold Referendum on Joining Russia

Prior Descriptions of Vote Had Centered on Issues of Autonomy

By Lukas I. Alpert, WSJ, Updated March 6, 2014 6:13 a.m. ET

The local government of Ukraine's breakaway territory of Crimea said Thursday that it will hold a regionwide referendum on whether to formally secede from Ukraine and join the Russian Federation.

The region's parliament said in a statement that the move was being taken "as a the result of the unconstitutional coup" that put a new government in place in Kiev last month and the "flagrant violation of the laws of Ukraine" by nationalist forces.

The pro-Russian government also pushed forward the date for the vote by two weeks to March 16. Prior descriptions of the referendum had been more vague, saying the vote would explore the issues of autonomy from Kiev.

Shortly after issuing the announcement, Crimea's parliament voted to join Russia, but said the final decision will rest with the people. The government also directed an appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin, asking if his country would be prepared to absorb Crimea.

(More here.)