MOSCOW, March 18, /ITAR-TASS/. Refusal to recognize the results of Crimea’s referendum, in which the local peoples in fact expressed their 100-percent support for the idea of reunification with Russia is tantamount to an expression of disrespect, the speaker of Russia’s upper house of parliament (Federation Council) Valentina Matvienko, said on the Rossiyua-24 round-the-clock news channel in an interview.
“How can one call in question such convincing returns and to refuse to recognize them?” Matvienko asked, adding that in a sense such a reaction had been well-expected “but Russia in the current situation cannot ignore the will expressed by the peoples of Crimea.”
“Russia has expressed its attitude quite clearly,” she said.
Matvienko believes that the results of the referendum “have surpassed the boldest forecasts.” The plebiscite was in full conformity with international law, she said.
“The public sentiment that everybody who was there took note of is impossible to simulate or organize. It was a real holiday,” Matvienko said.
The speaker of the Russian parliament’s upper house added that Russia was pushing ahead with Western partners.
“We still hope that they will be able to hear our arguments, that they will see for themselves we do not wish a confrontation. The other side just has no counter-arguments to offer. Theirs is a biased stance of wholesale rejection,” Matvienko said.