Russian Duma to consider law on occupation of Crimea

The Russian parliament will consider a bill on the annexation of Crimea.

The statement was made by A Just Russia member Sergei Mironov. The bill is likely to be discussed next week, ITAR-TASS reports.

Mironov said he had introduced the bill on simplifying procedures for parts of foreign states to join the Russia on February 28. “I say it plainly that the bill was prepared for Crimea,” the MP emphasised. He expressed confidence that “our brothers in Crimea want to restore the historical justice and fix the mistake of the Soviet leadership represented by Khrushchev, who gave Crimea to Ukraine.”

On March 6, the Crimean separatist parliament voted unanimously for joining Russia and asked Vladimir Putin to allow the peninsula to be a part of the Russian Federation. Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Russian president already received the request.

Crimean MPs took a decision to hold a referendum on the region's future on March 16. People will vote on two questions: Do you support Crimea's joining Russia as a subject of the Russian Federation? Do you support the restoration of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Crimea and Crimea’s status as part of Ukraine?”

Under Ukrainian laws, local referendums and seceding from the state are illegal.