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Crimea referendum: Voters 'back Russia union' | Crimea referendum: Voters 'back Russia union' |
(35 minutes later) | |
Some 95.5% of voters in Crimea have supported joining Russia in a disputed referendum, officials announce, after half the votes have been counted. | Some 95.5% of voters in Crimea have supported joining Russia in a disputed referendum, officials announce, after half the votes have been counted. |
Crimea's leader says he will apply to join Russia on Monday. Russia's Vladimir Putin has said he will respect the Crimean people's wishes. | Crimea's leader says he will apply to join Russia on Monday. Russia's Vladimir Putin has said he will respect the Crimean people's wishes. |
Many Crimeans loyal to Kiev boycotted the referendum, and the EU and US condemned it as illegal. | Many Crimeans loyal to Kiev boycotted the referendum, and the EU and US condemned it as illegal. |
Pro-Russian forces took control of Crimea in February. | Pro-Russian forces took control of Crimea in February. |
They moved in after Ukraine's pro-Moscow president was ousted by street protests. | |
The Kremlin said Mr Putin and US President Barack Obama had spoken over the phone and agreed to seek a way to stabilise Ukraine. | |
Shortly after polling stations closed, however, the US renewed its threat to put sanctions on Russia. | |
White House spokesman Jay Carney condemned the vote as "dangerous and destabilising" and said it would have "increasing costs for Russia". | |
The EU said in a statement that the vote was "illegal and illegitimate and its outcome will not be recognised". | |
EU foreign ministers are due to meet on Monday and are expected to consider imposing sanctions on Russian officials. |