We would welcome Crimea, says Russia

Crimea would be welcome as an equal part of Russia if the region votes to leave Ukraine in an upcoming referendum, the speaker of Russia’s upper house of parliament said today.

Valentina Matvienko met the head of the Crimean parliament to discuss the region’s possible accession to Russia. Yesterday, the parliament of Crimea voted to move the referendum date up to March 16, and to include a question on joining Russia.