The Crimean parliament has voted that the Black Sea peninsula will declare itself an independent state if its residents vote to split off from Ukraine and join Russia in a referendum on Sunday.

U.S. President Barack Obama voiced support a week ago for Moldova’s European aspirations amid the West’s intense standoff with Russia over the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.

British Prime Minister David Cameron urged Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday to support the formation of an international contact group that could lead to direct talks between the governments of Russia and Ukraine.