Crimean status referendum

Serbia was among the 107 countries that were in favor of public voting, writes Blic.
The General Assembly decided, by 107 votes in favor, to hold a public vote, rather than a secret ballot, on a draft resolution condemning Russia's "so-called illegal referendums" and "attempted illegal annexation".

The results of the parliamentary elections held in Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014, do not have legal validity for Turkey, the foreign ministry spokesperson said on Sept. 20.

As Ukraine embraces European values, human rights lawyers in the country have become increasingly active in their attempts to tackle the harsh violations that have resulted from the annexation of Crimea and the ongoing armed conflict with separatists in the eastern Donbas region of the country.

As Moscow strengthens its military presence in Crimea, politicians and experts in the region say local NATO member states must unite to reinforce their security.

Acclaimed Serbian filmmaker Emir Kusturica will perform with his orchestra on August 22 in Russian-annexed Crimea, the artist told Russian news agency Tass on Tuesday, despite threats of sanctions.

"I always do what I think is right," Kusturica told TASS, adding that he is "not frightened in any way".

VIENNA, June 4. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia would not cede Crimea to Ukraine under any circumstances. At the same time, he said in an interview with Austria's ORF broadcasting corporation in the run-up to his visit to Austria.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has condemned the visit of a group of Serbian Assembly members ("people's deputies") to Crimea.

Kiev also summoned the Serbian ambassador to Ukraine and asked him to provide "explanations regarding the matter."

The leader of the French far right-wing party National Front (FN) Marine Le Pen stated to the Russian newspaper Izvestiya that she will recognise the Crimea as part of Russia if elected president of France.

BELGRADE - Crimea's incorporation into Russia was legitimate, leader of France's National Front, Marine Le Pen, has said.

"I do not think that (Crimea's) reunification (with Russia) was illegitimate," she told the BFM TV network on Tuesday. "A referendum was organized, and residents of Crimea voted to join Russia. I see no grounds whatsoever to question this referendum."

The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution calling for international monitoring of the situation regarding human rights in Crimea, Sputnik has reported.

The draft resolution was submitted by Ukraine, and was supported by 70 countries. 26 were against, while 77 abstained.