Barroso says Crimea referendum is illegal

President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso Wednesday called on Russia “to cease all efforts to annex Ukraine’s autonomous Republic of Crimea.”

“Any attempt to legitimise a referendum in Crimea is contrary to the Ukrainian constitution and international law and quite clearly illegal,” he told a debate on Ukraine in the European Parliament in its session in Strasbourg.

“Today, at 14:00 Central European time, we will release another statement that will leave no doubt about the determination of the G-7 countries and the European Union,” he said.

He noted that the EU dialogue with Russia on visa facilitation and liberalisation, the discussions on the New Agreement and the preparations for the G8 meeting in Sochi have already been suspended.

“If meaningful negotiations do not begin within the next few days and produce results within a limited timeframe, this will trigger additional measures. And a further deterioration of the situation could lead to far reaching consequences,” he warned.