UKRAINE’S CRIMEA VOTES: 97% Say, “RUSSIA, THANK YOU FOR INVADING!”

Aimee Herd : Mar 17, 2014
Marie-Louise Gumuchian – CNN.com

Please continue to pray for the situation in Ukraine.

(Ukraine)—This weekend Crimea—located on the southern peninsula of Ukraine that juts out into the Black Sea—reportedly held a referendum, voting on whether or not to secede and come under the umbrella and control of Russia. (Photo via Google Maps)

According to a CNN report, the vote—considered illegal by the European Union and America—was 96.7% in favor of breaking from Ukraine to be annexed by Russia; the turnout was said to be 83%.

In response, the United States and the EU announced sanctions "including asset freezes and travel bans on officials from Russia and Ukraine."

President Obama stated, "We'll continue to make clear to Russia that further provocations will achieve nothing except to further isolate Russia and diminish its place in the world.

"The international community will continue to stand together to oppose any violations of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity, and continued Russia military intervention in Ukraine will only deepen Russia's diplomatic isolation and exact a greater toll on the Russia economy," added Obama.

According to the report, lawmakers in Crimea had already approved a bill on Monday, to make the Russian ruble official currency in addition to the Ukranian hryvnia.

Oleksandr Turchynov, Ukraine's acting President reportedly said he and the Ukrainian government would do "everything possible" to resolve the situation diplomatically, but that Ukraine "will never accept" Crimea's annexation by Russia.