Crimea will hold a referendum on joining Russia in 10 days

(Image credit: Graeme Robertson/Getty Images)

Lawmakers in Crimea's parliament voted Thursday to move up a planned referendum on the semi-autonomous region's future, and to change the question from whether Crimea should get "state autonomy" status within Ukraine to whether it should join Russia, ratifying parliament's unanimous decision, or remain in Ukraine with expanded powers. The vote will be on March 16, rather than the original date of May 25.

"This is our response to the disorder and lawlessness in Kiev," says Sergei Shuvainikov, a member of the Crimean legislature. "We will decide our future ourselves." Crimea is 60 percent ethnic Russian, but in a February poll, only 41 percent of Crimeans wanted to join Russia.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.