Russian parliament supports Crimea's annexation to Russia

Accordingly, Crimea will hold a referendum on this issue on March 16, not until March 30 as previously planned.

On March 6, the Parliament of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, part of Ukraine, met and unanimously approved a decision to "merge into the Russian Federation with the rights of a subject directly under the Russian Federation".

At noon on March 7 (Moscow time), a delegation of the Parliament of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea had meetings with members of the Russian Lower House and Upper House.

Russian Senate Speaker Valentina Matviyenko (left) and Speaker of the Parliament of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Vladimir Konstantinov at the meeting (Photo: Reuters)

At a meeting at the State Duma, Chairman of the Russian State Duma (lower house) Sergei Naryshkin declared that the Russian Parliament will respect Crimea's "historic choice" when the people of this autonomous region go to vote in the upcoming referendum on joining the Russian Federation.The delegation was warmly welcomed at the gates of the House of Representatives and the Senate building by representatives of Russian social organizations and many Russians who supported this new event.

Russia also sent a clear signal that the Russian legislature would pass a vote in favor of Crimea becoming part of Russia.

Chairman of the State Duma of Russia Naryshkin: “We see that the leadership and authorities of Crimea are aiming to unify their actions with the opinion of the entire population of Crimea in the course of the most democratic procedure – a referendum. We respect the historical choice of the people of Crimea and support the free choice of the people of Crimea and Sevastopol.

Russian MPs have expressed their support for the decision of the Crimean people. Leaders of parliamentary groups from the Communist Party, A Just Russia, and the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia also spoke in support of the people of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and condemned the recent unconstitutional actions in Ukraine, which have made the situation dangerous and tense for everyone.

“I want you to believe that everything will happen exactly as the Crimean people want. You have chosen the right option – joining Russia, because all other options will be changed overnight,” said Vladimir Zhirinovsky, leader of the parliamentary group of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia.

“A group of rioters has seized power and influenced parties, institutions and people. They not only violated the law but also endangered everyone. Therefore, we not only welcome you, but also believe that you have chosen a correct and reliable form of expressing the will of the people. Because the will of the people will be realized in a referendum and an honest vote,” said Gennady Zyuganov, chairman of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation.

“I think there are international legal grounds for this issue. We are now ready with legal initiatives to change the Constitution on the procedure for joining the Russian Federation of territories of other states. This is a draft law that is being considered in case the referendum in Crimea decides to join Russia,” said Sergei Mironov, the leader of the group of deputies of the Just Russia party in the parliament.

The Crimean authorities have warned the central authorities of Ukraine about the deteriorating situation in the country and that the autonomous republic may stay out of it, the speaker of the parliament of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Vladimir Konstantinov, said. The decision to join the Russian Federation and hold a referendum in Crimea is completely legal, while the actions of the Ukrainian authorities are illegal.

“We have always been and will always be on the right path. Those who claim to be in power say that we are violating the constitution. But that is ridiculous. Those who violated the constitution on Independence Square and are still violating the law accuse us. We exercised our right at the referendum as an undeniable right,” said Konstantinov.

Immediately after the meeting with the deputies of the Lower House, the Crimean Parliament delegation went to the Upper House of the Russian Federation, where the decision of the Parliament of the Autonomous Republic was also considered a historic decision and there was no doubt about the legality of the referendum in Crimea.

Speaking here, Chairwoman of the Russian Senate Valentina Matviyenko emphasized: “The right to self-determination is a right that no one is allowed to interfere with. Why is no one speaking out about the fact that the Scottish independence referendum, which will take place in September this year, violates the law? And why are the people of Crimea deprived of their legal right to decide their own destiny? That is a double standard. A referendum is the highest form of getting the opinion of the people of one's country.”

The slogans and banners held at the marches were: Stop fascism and stop nationalism. The marches also called for peace and reminded people that Russia and Ukraine have a common history.

On the afternoon of March 7, a large rally and concert with the theme "We Will Be Together" was also held in the center of Moscow./.

According to VOV