US President Barack Obama says the Crimea parliament’s decision to secede from Ukraine and request to join the Russian federation is a “violation of international law.”  He urged Russia to allow international monitors into the breakaway region of Ukraine and take other to deescalate the situation.

Obama says US support for the sovereignty of all nations includes “allies in Eastern Europe”, and spoke of steps taken earlier, including travel and financial restrictions placed on certain officials who supported the occupation.

“Since the Russian intervention we’ve been mobilizing the international community,” Mr. Obama said.  “This morning I signed an executive order that authorizes sanctions” and “puts restrictions on the travel of certain individuals.  We took these steps in close coordination with our European allies.  I’m pleased that our international unity is on display.”

UK Prime Minister David Cameron said the Crimean MPs' vote was a "serious step in the wrong direction".

Earlier, lawmakers in Crimea voters to break from Ukraine and asked Moscow to allow it to become part of the Russian Federation, specifically requesting that Russian President Vladimir Putin “start the procedure.”  MPs said that if its request was granted, Crimean citizens – with a 58.5 percent Russian majority – could give their view in a referendum on 16 March.  That would precede the 25 May presidential election that was planned in the rest of Ukraine.