MOSCOW, March 14. /ITAR-TASS/. Leader of the Communist Party Gennady Zyuganov said on Friday Crimean citizens had the right to determine their fate by referendum.

“Why everyone can? But when Crimea is preparing for a referendum in a peaceful, democratic, fair and worthy atmosphere they say: ‘We won’t recognize’,” Zyuganov said.

“Thus, the Western countries’ position on the referendum on Crimea’s status proves their unwillingness to meet the people’s will,” the Communist Party leader said.

There is a chance in Ukraine to ensure democracy during the election campaign. “We insist all agreements be implemented consistently and democratic principles be complied with during the election campaign. There are such conditions in Ukraine and there won’t be,” Zyuganov said.

He also warned against sanctions that the European Union and the USA threatened to impose on Russia. “Their sanctions will have an inevitable impact on all of us - on Russian citizens and on EU and US citizens,” Zyuganov said, adding, “The world is interrelated, Europe receives one third of our gas and one fifth of Russian metals in order to manufacture sophisticated products."