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Crimea and Sevastopol

Russia open to discuss with West any problem on Ukraine, except Crimean referendum — MP

MP Vyacheslav Timchenko says the people of Crimea have had their say of tangible importance

Vyacheslav Timchenko (archive) ITAR-TASS/Valery Sharifulin

Vyacheslav Timchenko (archive)

© ITAR-TASS/Valery Sharifulin

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Crimea declared independent sovereign state

MOSCOW, March 17. /ITAR-TASS/. The Russian Federation is prepared to discuss with the West any problems pertaining to Ukraine, except for the results of Sunday's referendum, MP Vyacheslav Timchenko, who is First Deputy Head of the United Russia faction at the State Duma, declared on Monday.

"We are prepared to carry on a broad dialogue with our Western partners on a big range of issues pertaining to Ukraine, including economic assistance to Ukraine. We are ready to discuss anything except the results of the referendum, which are unquestionable. The people of Crimea have had their say of tangible importance. Judging by the fact of the referendum, Crimea has become the Russian land since today," Timchenko declared.

"It was the only correct decision under the existing circumstances. It was not a matter of someone's choice. It was a question put by Shakespeare's Hamlet -"to be or not to be",Timchenko stressed.

He expects Russia to adopt all the necessary resolutions on Crimea's accession to Russia in the near future, including on the fate of the Crimean Tatars.

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Hopes of Crimean people should not be forfeited — Deputy PM

Chairwoman of the State Duma Committee on Security Irina Yarovaya challenged representatives of a number of Western countries who said that they would not recognize the results of the Crimean referendum. "No more democratic process than a referendum exists in the world. The voting in Crimea was absolutely free, open and democratic. The results of the voting have shown that the people have made their choice in favor of reunification with Russia," Yarovaya declared. "The reluctance of the West to recognize the results of the referendum actually means non-recognition of democracy," Yarovaya said.

According to the results of the referendum, a total of 96.77% of the Crimean population who took part in the referendum have voted for Crimea's reunification with Russia.

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Referendum in Crimea

Terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall

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French president says creating Israeli-type air defense network for Ukraine impossible

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Vasily Anokhin urged local residents to remain calm and refrain from filming air defenses in operation.

Polish premier refuses to hand over his country’s Patriot systems to Ukraine

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Switzerland does not suit Russia for negotiations on Ukraine — Lavrov

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Hungarians in western Ukraine should get their rights back, Budapest says

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Russia's revenues from oil exports remain high despite price ceiling — IMF

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US 'not forgetting' to help itself with aid to Ukraine — Kremlin

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Two people killed in borderline Belgorod Region in Ukrainian drone attack — governor

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North Korean leader arrives at public event in Aurus luxury car gifted by Putin

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Russia can join top three countries by lithium reserves — governor

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Russian instructors help train over 10,000 Central African troops — CAR president

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