(VOVworld) – Ukraine's Caretaker President, Oleksander Turchinov, called Crimean authorities “totally illegitimate” after they voted on Thursday to merge with Russia.

kraine's Caretaker President Oleksander Turchinov (Photo: Reuteurs)

Crimea's Vice Premier Rustam Temirgaliev said the Crimean Parliament’s resolution to become a part of Russia is now in force and any Ukrainian soldiers in the Crimean peninsula will be regarded as “invaders” who must lay down their arms and leave the Crimean territory. 
Earlier, the Crimean Parliament approved a resolution to join Russia and selected March 16^th as a referendum day.
While speaking on the phone with US National Security Advisor Susan Rice about Ukraine’s situation, Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi said the legal rights and interests of Ukrainian ethnic minority groups should be ensured.
At a 6-hour emergency meeting on Thursday, EU leaders unanimously voted to increase pressure on Russia by suspending visa negotiations and threatening to impose additional economic sanctions. The EU leaders also approved an aid package worth 15 billion USD for Ukraine until 2020.