The Crimean Parliament has today approved a unilateral declaration of independence (UDI) of the peninsula to be implemented after Sunday's referendum, Russian TV RT reports. Crimean MPs have made the decision five days before a referendum on the territory's future is held. Citizens are called upon to decide whether to annex Crimea to Russia or to remain as a quasi-independent republic within Ukraine.

Crimean MPs and Sevastopol City Council members argue that the declaration of indepence will be in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and will "take into account the confirmation of the status of Kosovo" by the International Court of Justice,  "which says that unilateral declaration of independence by a part of the country doesn't violate any international norms".

The text adopted today says that the UDI will become effective once the Crimean citizens have voted in favor of secession from Ukraine and for joining the Russian Federation. This means that first Crimea will proclaim itself an independent state, and then will ask to join Russia. Crimean Parliament Chairman Vladimir Konstantinov said a survey predicts that 80% of voters will support joinin Russia.

Until now, Crimea is recognized by all world states as part of Ukraine. After the overthrow of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, the Crimean Parliament decided that the peninsula would unilaterally decide its future. Russian forces control the territory.

Russia could finish the procedure for annexation within one month

Meanwhile, Russian MP and head of Just Russia party Sergey Mironov has forecasted that the Russian Federation could complete all legal procedures allowing the annexation of Crimea within a month. Russian Parliament lower house is expected to debate on March 21st a bill to facilitate the access of foreign territories to the Russian Federation. Thus, Crimea could soon became a constituent republic of the Federation.