Crimea has right to hold referendum on self-determination - United Russia
MOSCOW. March 6 (Interfax) - The administration of United Russia believes Ukraine has provoked the administration of Crimea to make a prompt decision on the status of the autonomous republic.
"The rescheduling of the referendum in Crimea and the wording of the questioning put up for the referendum are due to the actions taken by those who are now in power in Kyiv," Sergei Zheleznyak, deputy secretary of the general council of United Russia and deputy speaker of the State Duma, said.
Zheleznyak reiterated that the decisions that are currently made in Crimea, including the decisions associated with the referendum and the questions put up for it, are "the constitutional right of the people of Crimea."
"The decision to hold the referendum earlier than it was initially planned and the wording are directly influenced by the actions taken by those who have seized power in Kyiv because the more they try to threaten Crimea and the regions that are traditionally connected with Russia, the more anti-Maidan, anti-Bandera wave they will get in response," Zheleznyak said.
Russia, for its part, should do everything to ensure that participants in the Crimean referendum "have a chance for self-determination, for free expression of their will without any interference and outside pressure, which is envisioned by a lawful right of nations," he said.
