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              Voting Under Way in Crimea Referendum to Join Russia

   As voting continues in Crimea on a referendum to break away from
   Ukraine and become a part of Russia, the United States and Russia have
   agreed to push for Ukrainian constitutional reforms as a solution to
   its political crisis.
   Russia`s foreign ministry says U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and
   Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov agreed Sunday to seek a solution
   to the crisis in Ukraine by seeking constitutional reforms. The U.S.
   State Department has not confirmed that information.
   Reuters news service reports Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk
   is vowing to track down those promoting separatism in Crimea. He said
   Ukraine will find all ringleaders of separatism who are trying to
   destroy Ukrainian independence.
   Meanwhile, Ukraine`s acting defense minister told reporters the defense
   ministries of Ukraine and Russia have agreed on a truce in Crimea until
   March 21.
   Defense Minister Ihor Tenyukh said an agreement has been reached with
   Russia`s Black Sea fleet, which is stationed in Crimea, that no measure
   will be taken against Ukrainian military facilities during the truce.
   He said Urkaine`s military sites are now replenishing their supplies.
   During a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, German
   Chancellor Angela Merkel proposed an Organization for Security and
   Cooperation in Europe mission in Ukraine be expanded immediately.
   The voting in Crimea comes one day after Russia vetoed a U.N. Security
   Council resolution urging countries not to recognize the outcome of the
   referendum, which is widely expected to result in a vote to join
   Russia. Thirteen other members voted for it while China abstained,
   saying the resolution would lead to confrontation and complications.
   Crimea is a primarily ethnic-Russian majority region of Ukraine. Moscow
   says it has the right to protect its interests in Crimea.
   Ukraine`s Foreign Ministry said Saturday Russian forces have seized the
   Ukrainian village of Strilkove, near the Crimean border.
   There are no reports of shots being fired, but the Ministry calls the
   takeover an "invasion" and demands the Russian soldiers leave.
   Ukrainian border guards say the Russians are guarding a gas pumping
   station in the town.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/voting-under-way-in-crimea-referendum
   -to-join-russia/1872380.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/voting-under-way-in-crimea-referendum-to-join-russia/1872380.html