Referendum for Crimea spurned by G7 countries
THE G7 nations will not accept the results of any referendum in Crimea, and has told the Russian government to halt its work on the vote, which is set to take place in three days.
In a communique yesterday, the leaders from advanced economies said: “Any such referendum would have no legal effect. Given the lack of adequate preparation and the intimidating presence of Russian troops, it would also be a deeply flawed process which would have no moral force.” The G7 further said that the Russian government should withdraw the forces it has moved into Crimea.
The US government also announced a test sale from the country’s strategic petroleum reserve yesterday, releasing up to five million barrels.
The Department of Energy denied that there was any link between Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the announcement of the sale, but previous releases were announced during Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, and the 2011 Libyan civil war.
Ukraine’s interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk also met US President Barack Obama in Washington yesterday, saying his country was fighting for freedom.