Lawmakers in Crimea vote to join Russia

SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine -- Ukraine lurched toward breakup yesterday as lawmakers in Crimea unanimously voted to join Russia and put the decision to voters in 10 days. President Barack Obama condemned the move and the West answered with the first real sanctions against Russia.

Speaking from the White House, Obama said any decisions on the future of Crimea, a pro-Russian area of Ukraine, must include the country's new government.

"The proposed referendum on the future of Crimea would violate the constitution and violate international law," Obama said. "We are well beyond the days when borders can be redrawn over the heads of democratic leaders."

Russian President Vladimir Putin was almost certainly behind yesterday's developments, but it was not clear whether he is aiming for outright annexation, or simply strengthening his hand in talks with the West.

The United States moved to impose financial sanctions and travel restrictions on opponents of Ukraine's new government and the EU also announced limited punitive measures against Putin's government, including the suspension of trade and visa talks. Washington and the EU said they were discussing further sanctions.

"I am confident that we are moving forward together, united in our determination to oppose actions that violate international law and to support the government and people of Ukraine," Obama said.

Crimea's parliament rammed through what amounted to a declaration of independence from Ukraine, announcing it would let the Crimean people, 60 percent of whom are ethnic Russian, decide in a March 16 referendum whether they want to become part of Russia.

"This is our response to the disorder and lawlessness in Kiev," said lawmaker Sergei Shuvainikov. "We will decide our future ourselves."

Ukraine's prime minister swiftly denounced the action. "This so-called referendum has no legal grounds at all," said Arseniy Yatsenyuk.

The U.S. actions came as EU leaders gathered at an emergency summit in Brussels to put in place their own measures, but appeared split over how forcefully to follow America's lead.

The Europeans were divided between nations close to Russia's borders, which want the bloc to stand up to Moscow, and some Western economic powers, notably Germany, that were taking a more dovish line.

The city legislature in Sevastopol, the Crimean port that hosts Russia's naval base, voted late yesterday to declare itself part of Russia and join the referendum. The vote was necessary because the city has an autonomous status making it separate from the rest of Crimea.