Group of 7: Crimea referendum a 'deeply flawed process which would have no moral force'

Spencer Platt / Getty Images

Group of 7: Crimea referendum a 'deeply flawed process which would have no moral force'
(Image credit: Spencer Platt / Getty Images)

The Group of 7 say they won't recognize the outcome of a referendum that would peel Crimea from Ukraine and allow it to join Russia. In a statement released Wednesday, the seven nations — Japan, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Britain, and the United States — called on Russia to "cease all efforts to change the status of Crimea," warning that a referendum would be "contrary to Ukrainian law and in violation of international law."

"Any such referendum would have no legal effect," a statement from the G7 read. "Given the lack of adequate preparation and the intimidating presence of Russian troops, it would also be a deeply flawed process which would have no moral force."

The referendum is due to take place Sunday.

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Jon Terbush

Jon Terbush is an associate editor at TheWeek.com covering politics, sports, and other things he finds interesting. He has previously written for Talking Points Memo, Raw Story, and Business Insider.