Five top military, police commanders take oath to Crimea:
A number of high ranking Ukrainian officials in Crimea have sworn their allegiance to the autonomous republic of Crimea, as Simferopol pushes for its autonomy from the self-imposed government in Kiev. Ref. Source 2
Republic Of Crimea (Hover)
Preparations for joining Russia already underway - Crimean PM:
The peninsula will be ready to begin using Russian law within a couple of months of a pro-secession vote, and the local Finance Ministry is already working on a roadmap for switching from the Ukrainian currency, the hryvnia, to the Russian ruble, Aksyonov said in an interview with RIA Novosti. Ref. Source 4
Crimea Can Become Part of Russia in 2 Months, Premier Says;
Crimea can be integrated into Russia within two months if its voters decide the territory should cease to be a part of Ukraine in a March 16 referendum, the Black Sea region's premier said in an interview. Ref. Source 9
Russia vetoes United Nations resolution on Crimea's future
Russia has vetoed a U.S.-sponsored United Nations resolution that declared Sunday's referendum on the future of Crimea illegal and affirmed Ukraine's sovereignty. China abstained from the vote. The other 13 nations voted in favor of the resolution. Ref. USAToday
With 50 percent of the votes counted, preliminary results show 95.5% of voters in Crimea want to become part of Russia, Crimean Electoral Commission head Mikhail Malyshev announced.
The European Union on Sunday repeated its "Strong condemnation" Of the referendum. The White House also rejected the vote, saying in a statement that it was "Administered under threats of violence and intimidation from a Russian military intervention that violates international law."
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in a statement Saturday that Crimea's referendum conforms to international law. Ref. CNN
I don't know the full history of this island but they are unusually anxious to join Russia, what do they have to gain from that move?
International Level: Specialist / Political Participation: 44 4.4%