Concern is growing within NATO over the size of Russian forces amassed at the Ukrainian border, which the organisation’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe said could pose a threat to Moldova’s Transdniestria region, which has a large Russian-speaking population.
Speaking at an event held by the German Marshall Fund think-tank, General Philip Breedlove voiced disquiet that Moscow could be using snap military exercises as cover to prepare for further interventions in neighbouring states.
"The (Russian) force that is at the Ukrainian border now to the east is very, very sizeable and very, very ready," said Breedlove, adding that NATO was concerned that Transdniestria was likely viewed by the Kremlin as the "next place where Russian-speaking people may need to be incorporated".
Breedlove: 'Russia is acting much more like an adversary than a partner'
Transdniestria’s separatist parliament has made overtures towards Vladimir Putin to incorporate the region into the Russia Federation, despite Moldova’s president warning Moscow against any such move.
Reported by Reuters, Breedlove said: "There is absolutely sufficient (Russian) force postured on the eastern border of Ukraine to run to Transdniestria if the decision was made to do that and that is very worrisome." On NATO’s relationship with Russia, he added: "It is very clear that Russia is acting much more like an adversary than a partner."
Crimea Referendum
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS-CRIMEA-BASE(01 of85)
A pro-Russian protester prepares to throw back a smoke bomb thrown by Ukrainian servicemen as pro-Russian protesters storm a Ukrainian air force base in the small city of Novofedorivka, in the Saki district of western Crimea, on March 22, 2014. About 200 pro-Russian protesters stormed a Ukrainian air force base in western Crimea, forcing the soldiers to leave as the Ukrainian flag was taken down. The unarmed crowd broke through to the base in the town of Novofedorivka and started smashing windows as Ukrainian servicemen barricaded themselves inside buildings and threw smoke bombs at the intruders from the roof. AFP PHOTO / DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV (Photo credit should read DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS-MILITARY(02 of85)
Ukrainian pilots and soldiers gather at the air base entrance in Fedorovka, Saki district, Crimea, on March 22, 2014. About 200 pro-Russian protesters on March 22 stormed a Ukrainian air force base in western Ukraine, AFP correspondents saw. The unarmed crowd broke through to the base in the town of Novofedorivka and started smashing windows as Ukrainian servicemen barricaded themselves inside buildings and threw smoke bombs at the intruders from the roof. AFP PHOTO/ DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV (Photo credit should read DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS-CRIMEA-BASE(03 of85)
Pro-Russian protesters push away a truck blocking the entrance to a Ukrainian air force base as they storm the building in the small city of Novofedorivka, in the Saki district of western Crimea, on March 22, 2014. About 200 pro-Russian protesters stormed a Ukrainian air force base in western Crimea, forcing the soldiers to leave as the Ukrainian flag was taken down. The unarmed crowd broke through to the base in the town of Novofedorivka and started smashing windows as Ukrainian servicemen barricaded themselves inside buildings and threw smoke bombs at the intruders from the roof. AFP PHOTO / DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV (Photo credit should read DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS-MILITARY-CRIMEA(04 of85)
Russian soldiers storm a Ukrainian military air base in the small city of Belbek near the Crimean city of Sevastopol on March 22, 2014. Armed forces backed by armoured vehicles broke inside a Ukrainian airbase in Crimea on Saturday, firing automatic weapons into the air. AFP PHOTO/ VIKTOR DRACHEV (Photo credit should read VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS-MILITARY-CRIMEA(05 of85)
Pro Russian protesters and Russian soldiers storm a Ukrainian military air base in the small city of Belbek near the Crimean city of Sevastopol on March 22, 2014. Armed forces backed by armoured vehicles broke inside a Ukrainian airbase in Crimea on Saturday, firing automatic weapons into the air. AFP PHOTO/ VIKTOR DRACHEV (Photo credit should read VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS-MILITARY-CRIMEA(06 of85)
Pro Russian protesters and Russian soldiers storm a Ukrainian military air base in the small city of Belbek near the Crimean city of Sevastopol on March 22, 2014. Armed forces backed by armoured vehicles broke inside a Ukrainian airbase in Crimea on Saturday, firing automatic weapons into the air. AFP PHOTO/ VIKTOR DRACHEV (Photo credit should read VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS-MILITARY-CRIMEA(07 of85)
Russian soldiers storm a Ukrainian military air base in the small city of Belbek near the Crimean city of Sevastopol on March 22, 2014. Armed forces backed by armoured vehicles broke inside a Ukrainian airbase in Crimea on Saturday, firing automatic weapons into the air. AFP PHOTO/ VIKTOR DRACHEV (Photo credit should read VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS-CRIMEA-BASE(08 of85)
Ukrainian soldiers walk out of a Ukrainian air force base in the small city of Novofedorivka, in the Saki district of western Crimea, after it was stormed by some 200 pro-Russian protesters on March 22, 2014. About 200 pro-Russian protesters stormed a Ukrainian air force base in western Crimea, forcing the soldiers to leave as the Ukrainian flag was taken down. The unarmed crowd broke through to the base in the town of Novofedorivka and started smashing windows as Ukrainian servicemen barricaded themselves inside buildings and threw smoke bombs at the intruders from the roof. AFP PHOTO / DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV (Photo credit should read DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS-CRIMEA-BASE(09 of85)
Ukrainian soldiers walk out of a Ukrainian air force base in the small city of Novofedorivka, in the Saki district of western Crimea, after it was stormed by some 200 pro-Russian protesters on March 22, 2014. About 200 pro-Russian protesters stormed a Ukrainian air force base in western Crimea, forcing the soldiers to leave as the Ukrainian flag was taken down. The unarmed crowd broke through to the base in the town of Novofedorivka and started smashing windows as Ukrainian servicemen barricaded themselves inside buildings and threw smoke bombs at the intruders from the roof. AFP PHOTO / DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV (Photo credit should read DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS-CRIMEA-BASE(10 of85)
Ukrainian soldiers walk out of a Ukrainian air force base in the small city of Novofedorivka, in the Saki district of western Crimea, after it was stormed by some 200 pro-Russian protesters on March 22, 2014. About 200 pro-Russian protesters stormed a Ukrainian air force base in western Crimea, forcing the soldiers to leave as the Ukrainian flag was taken down. The unarmed crowd broke through to the base in the town of Novofedorivka and started smashing windows as Ukrainian servicemen barricaded themselves inside buildings and threw smoke bombs at the intruders from the roof. AFP PHOTO / DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV (Photo credit should read DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS-CRIMEA-NAVY(11 of85)
Russian soldiers and officers walk onboard the Ukrainian Navy ship known as 'Ternopil' in the Sevastopol harbour on March 21, 2014. As the flags go down one by one on Ukraine's fleet in Crimea, Russian forces are laying siege to the few ships left in a strongly pro-Russian community that is hostile to the new government in Kiev. On March 20th in the evening, the Ternopil, a corvette built to repel submarines, was stormed by Russian forces and towed across the bay. AFP PHOTO / VIKTOR DRACHEV (Photo credit should read VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS-CRIMEA(12 of85)
A man waves a Russian flag as people look at fire works in the center of the Crimean city of Simferopol on March 21, 2014. Russia's upper house of parliament unanimously voted on March 21 to ratify the treaty incorporating Crimea into Russian territory in defiance of the international community's insistence that the peninsula is part of Ukraine. AFP PHOTO / DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV (Photo credit should read DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS-CRIMEA-BASE(13 of85)
Ukrainian soldiers walk out of a Ukrainian air force base in the small city of Novofedorivka, in the Saki district of western Crimea, as pro-Russian protesters look on after the base was stormed by some 200 pro-Russian protesters on March 22, 2014. About 200 pro-Russian protesters stormed a Ukrainian air force base in western Crimea, forcing the soldiers to leave as the Ukrainian flag was taken down. The unarmed crowd broke through to the base in the town of Novofedorivka and started smashing windows as Ukrainian servicemen barricaded themselves inside buildings and threw smoke bombs at the intruders from the roof. AFP PHOTO / DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV (Photo credit should read DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS-CRIMEA(14 of85)
A man waves a Russian flag as people look at fire works in the center of the Crimean city of Sevastopol on March 21, 2014. Russia's upper house of parliament unanimously voted on March 21 to ratify the treaty incorporating Crimea into Russian territory in defiance of the international community's insistence that the peninsula is part of Ukraine. AFP PHOTO / VIKTOR DRACHEV (Photo credit should read VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS-CRIMEA(15 of85)
People wave Russian flags and cheer in the center of the Crimean city of Simferopol on March 21, 2014. Russia's upper house of parliament unanimously voted on March 21 to ratify the treaty incorporating Crimea into Russian territory in defiance of the international community's insistence that the peninsula is part of Ukraine. AFP PHOTO / DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV (Photo credit should read DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS-CRIMEA-NAVY(16 of85)
A view of the Ukrainian Navy ship known as 'Ternopil' in the Sevastopol harbour on March 21, 2014, after it was taken over by Russian forces. As the flags go down one by one on Ukraine's fleet in Crimea, Russian forces are laying siege to the few ships left in a strongly pro-Russian community that is hostile to the new government in Kiev. On March 20th in the evening, the Ternopil, a corvette built to repel submarines, was stormed by Russian forces and towed across the bay. AFP PHOTO / VIKTOR DRACHEV (Photo credit should read VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS-CRIMEA-NAVY(17 of85)
A couple embraces as they look at the Ukrainian Navy ship 'Slavutych' in the Sevastopol harbour on March 21, 2014. As the flags go down one by one on Ukraine's fleet in Crimea, Russian forces are laying siege to the few ships left in a strongly pro-Russian community that is hostile to the new government in Kiev. AFP PHOTO / VIKTOR DRACHEV (Photo credit should read VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS-CRIMEA(18 of85)
A young boy waves a Russian flag as people gather to look at fire works in the center of the Crimean city of Simferopol on March 21, 2014. Russia's upper house of parliament unanimously voted on March 21 to ratify the treaty incorporating Crimea into Russian territory in defiance of the international community's insistence that the peninsula is part of Ukraine. AFP PHOTO / DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV (Photo credit should read DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS-CRIMEA(19 of85)
A man waves a Russian flag as people look at fire works in the center of the Crimean city of Sevastopol on March 21, 2014. Russia's upper house of parliament unanimously voted on March 21 to ratify the treaty incorporating Crimea into Russian territory in defiance of the international community's insistence that the peninsula is part of Ukraine. AFP PHOTO / VIKTOR DRACHEV (Photo credit should read VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS-CRIMEA-ARMY(20 of85)
A Ukrainian soldier embraces his daughter at the Belbek air force base not far from the city of Sevastopol, in Crimea, on March 21, 2014. Surly and dejected, many Ukrainian soldiers at the Perevalne base in Crimea deserted their posts today, crossing groups of buoyant Russian soldiers moving in -- but 200 were said to be resisting. Overwhelmed by superior force and on the day Russia formally claimed the Black Sea peninsula as its territory, the biggest base still holding out against a creeping month-long invasion was slowly giving up. AFP PHOTO / VIKTOR DRACHEV (Photo credit should read VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS-CRIMEA-ARMY(21 of85)
A Ukrainian soldier pets a dog at the Belbek air force base not far from the city of Sevastopol, in Crimea, on March 21, 2014. Surly and dejected, many Ukrainian soldiers at the Perevalne base in Crimea deserted their posts today, crossing groups of buoyant Russian soldiers moving in -- but 200 were said to be resisting. Overwhelmed by superior force and on the day Russia formally claimed the Black Sea peninsula as its territory, the biggest base still holding out against a creeping month-long invasion was slowly giving up. AFP PHOTO / VIKTOR DRACHEV (Photo credit should read VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS-CRIMEA(22 of85)
A man waves a Russian flag as the word 'Russia' is projected onto a building in the center of the Crimean city of Simferopol on March 21, 2014. Russia's upper house of parliament unanimously voted on March 21 to ratify the treaty incorporating Crimea into Russian territory in defiance of the international community's insistence that the peninsula is part of Ukraine. AFP PHOTO / DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV (Photo credit should read DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS-CRIMEA(23 of85)
A young boy sitting on the shoulders of an elderly man claps as people watch fire works in the center of the Crimean city of Simferopol on March 21, 2014. Russia's upper house of parliament unanimously voted on March 21 to ratify the treaty incorporating Crimea into Russian territory in defiance of the international community's insistence that the peninsula is part of Ukraine. AFP PHOTO / DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV (Photo credit should read DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS-CRIMEA(24 of85)
A young girl sits on the shoulders of a man as they watch fire works in the center of the Crimean city of Simferopol on March 21, 2014. Russia's upper house of parliament unanimously voted on March 21 to ratify the treaty incorporating Crimea into Russian territory in defiance of the international community's insistence that the peninsula is part of Ukraine. AFP PHOTO / DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV (Photo credit should read DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS-CRIMEA-ARMY(25 of85)
Ukrainian pilots carry their belongings as they leave the Belbek air force base not far from the city of Sevastopol, in Crimea, on March 21, 2014. Surly and dejected, many Ukrainian soldiers at the Perevalne base in Crimea deserted their posts today, crossing groups of buoyant Russian soldiers moving in -- but 200 were said to be resisting. Overwhelmed by superior force and on the day Russia formally claimed the Black Sea peninsula as its territory, the biggest base still holding out against a creeping month-long invasion was slowly giving up. AFP PHOTO / VIKTOR DRACHEV (Photo credit should read VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
RUSSIA-UKRAINE-POLITICS-CRISIS-KREMLIN(26 of85)
Russia's President Vladimir Putin signs a law on ratification of a treaty making Crimea part of Russia, during a ceremony in the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21, 2014. Putin said today Moscow would hold off on further reciprocal sanctions against the United States, after Washington introduced punitive measures against his close allies over the Ukraine crisis. AFP PHOTO/ POOL / SERGEI CHIRIKOV (Photo credit should read SERGEI CHIRIKOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-UNREST-POLITICS-CRIMEA(27 of85)
Russian soldiers and pro-Russian self-defence activists check documents and search cars at the check-point in the Henichesk district, on the road accross the Chongar strait, one of the two roads linking Crimea to Ukraine on March 21, 2014. UN chief Ban Ki-moon said today the Ukrainian crisis can only be resolved through a diplomatic solution that respects the territorial integrity of the splintered ex-Soviet state. AFP PHOTO / DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV (Photo credit should read DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-UNREST-POLITICS-CRIMEA(28 of85)
Russian forces search a van at a checkpoint in Henichesk district, on the road accross the Chongar strait, one of only two roads linking Crimea to Ukraine on March 21, 2014. UN chief Ban Ki-moon said today the Ukrainian crisis can only be resolved through a diplomatic solution that respects the territorial integrity of the splintered ex-Soviet state. AFP PHOTO / DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV (Photo credit should read DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-UNREST-POLITICS-CRIMEA(29 of85)
Russian forces stand guard at a checkpoint in Henichesk district, on the road accross the Chongar strait, one of only two roads linking Crimea to Ukraine on March 21, 2014. UN chief Ban Ki-moon said today the Ukrainian crisis can only be resolved through a diplomatic solution that respects the territorial integrity of the splintered ex-Soviet state. AFP PHOTO / DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV (Photo credit should read DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS-MILITARY(30 of85)
Ukrainian soldiers guard near a machine-gun at the Belbek air -base not far from the Crimean city of Sevastopol on March 21, 2014. Surly and dejected, many Ukrainian soldiers at Perevalne base in Crimea deserted their posts Friday, crossing groups of buoyant Russian soldiers moving in -- but 200 were said to be resisting. Overwhelmed by superior force and on the day Russia formally claimed the Black Sea peninsula as its territory, the biggest base still holding out against a creeping month-long invasion was slowly giving up. AFP PHOTO/ VIKTOR DRACHEV (Photo credit should read VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS-ECONOMY-MONEY(31 of85)
People queue outside a branch of the Russian Sberbank in the Crimean capital Simferopol on March 21, 2014. UN chief Ban Ki-moon said on Friday the Ukrainian crisis can only be resolved through a diplomatic solution that respects the territorial integrity of the splintered ex-Soviet state. Ban arrived in Ukraine a day after holding talks in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin during which he expressed his deep concern over the worst East-West crisis since the Cold War. AFP PHOTO/ DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV (Photo credit should read DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
RUSSIA-UKRAINE-POLITICS-CRISIS-KREMLIN(32 of85)
Russia's President Vladimir Putin (C) signs a law on ratification of a treaty making Crimea part of Russia, during a ceremony in the Kremlin in Moscow March 21, 2014, with Valentina Matviyenko (L), the speaker of the upper house of Russian parliament, the Federation Council, and Sergei Naryshkin (R), the speaker of parliament's lower house, the State Duma, attending the ceremony . Putin said today Moscow would hold off on further reciprocal sanctions against the United States, after Washington introduced punitive measures against his close allies over the Ukraine crisis. AFP PHOTO/ POOL / SERGEI CHIRIKOV (Photo credit should read SERGEI CHIRIKOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
RUSSIA-UKRAINE-POLITICS-CRISIS-KREMLIN(33 of85)
Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a ceremony to sign a law on ratification of a treaty making Crimea part of Russia, in the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21, 2014. Putin said today Moscow would hold off on further reciprocal sanctions against the United States, after Washington introduced punitive measures against his close allies over the Ukraine crisis. AFP PHOTO/ POOL / SERGEI CHIRIKOV (Photo credit should read SERGEI CHIRIKOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
RUSSIA-UKRAINE-POLITICS-CRISIS-KREMLIN(34 of85)
Russia's President Vladimir Putin speaks during a ceremony to sign a law on ratification of a treaty making Crimea part of Russia, in the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21, 2014. Putin said today Moscow would hold off on further reciprocal sanctions against the United States, after Washington introduced punitive measures against his close allies over the Ukraine crisis. AFP PHOTO/ POOL / SERGEI CHIRIKOV (Photo credit should read SERGEI CHIRIKOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS(35 of85)
Pro-Russian protesters remove the gate of Ukrainian navy headquaters as Russian troops stand guard in Crimean city of Sevastopol on March 19, 2014. Pro-Russian protesters seized Ukraine's Crimean naval headquarters and captured its commander on Wednesday after Moscow claimed the peninsula and the first casualties ratcheted up stakes in the worst East-West standoff since the Cold War. AFP PHOTO/ VASILIY BATANOV (Photo credit should read Vasiliy BATANOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS-MILITARY(36 of85)
Russian troops stand guard at the Ukrainian navy headquaters they took in the Crimean city of Sevastopol on March 19, 2014. Pro-Russian protesters seized Ukraine's Crimean naval headquarters and captured its commander on Wednesday after Moscow claimed the peninsula and the first casualties ratcheted up stakes in the worst East-West standoff since the Cold War. AFP PHOTO/ VASILIY BATANOV (Photo credit should read Vasiliy BATANOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS-MILITARY(37 of85)
Russian troops stand guard at the Ukrainian navy headquaters they took in the Crimean city of Sevastopol on March 19, 2014. Pro-Russian protesters seized Ukraine's Crimean naval headquarters and captured its commander on Wednesday after Moscow claimed the peninsula and the first casualties ratcheted up stakes in the worst East-West standoff since the Cold War. AFP PHOTO/ VASILIY BATANOV (Photo credit should read Vasiliy BATANOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS-MILITARY(38 of85)
Russian troops stand guard at the Ukrainian navy headquaters they took in the Crimean city of Sevastopol on March 19, 2014. Pro-Russian protesters seized Ukraine's Crimean naval headquarters and captured its commander on Wednesday after Moscow claimed the peninsula and the first casualties ratcheted up stakes in the worst East-West standoff since the Cold War. AFP PHOTO/ VASILIY BATANOV (Photo credit should read Vasiliy BATANOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS(39 of85)
Pro-Russian protesters remove the gate of Ukrainian navy headquaters as Russian troops stand guard in Crimean city of Sevastopol on March 19, 2014. Pro-Russian protesters seized Ukraine's Crimean naval headquarters and captured its commander on Wednesday after Moscow claimed the peninsula and the first casualties ratcheted up stakes in the worst East-West standoff since the Cold War. AFP PHOTO/ VASILIY BATANOV (Photo credit should read Vasiliy BATANOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS-MILITARY(40 of85)
Russian troops stand guard at the Ukrainian navy headquaters they took in the Crimean city of Sevastopol on March 19, 2014. Pro-Russian protesters seized Ukraine's Crimean naval headquarters and captured its commander on Wednesday after Moscow claimed the peninsula and the first casualties ratcheted up stakes in the worst East-West standoff since the Cold War. AFP PHOTO/ VASILIY BATANOV (Photo credit should read Vasiliy BATANOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS(41 of85)
Pro-Russian protesters and Russian troops stand guard at the Ukrainian navy headquaters after removing its gates in the Crimean city of Sevastopol on March 19, 2014. Pro-Russian protesters seized Ukraine's Crimean naval headquarters and captured its commander on Wednesday after Moscow claimed the peninsula and the first casualties ratcheted up stakes in the worst East-West standoff since the Cold War. AFP PHOTO/ VASILIY BATANOV (Photo credit should read Vasiliy BATANOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS(42 of85)
Pro-Russian protesters and Russian troops stand guard at the Ukrainian navy headquaters after removing its gates in the Crimean city of Sevastopol on March 19, 2014. Pro-Russian protesters seized Ukraine's Crimean naval headquarters and captured its commander on Wednesday after Moscow claimed the peninsula and the first casualties ratcheted up stakes in the worst East-West standoff since the Cold War. AFP PHOTO/ VASILIY BATANOV (Photo credit should read Vasiliy BATANOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS(43 of85)
Pro-Russian protesters and Russian troops stand guard at Ukrainian navy headquaters in Crimean city of Sevastopol on March 19, 2014. Pro-Russian protesters seized Ukraine's Crimean naval headquarters and captured its commander on Wednesday after Moscow claimed the peninsula and the first casualties ratcheted up stakes in the worst East-West standoff since the Cold War. AFP PHOTO/ VASILIY BATANOV (Photo credit should read Vasiliy BATANOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS(44 of85)
Pro-Russian protesters remove the gate of Ukrainian navy headquaters as Russian troops stand guard in Crimean city of Sevastopol on March 19, 2014. Pro-Russian protesters seized Ukraine's Crimean naval headquarters and captured its commander on Wednesday after Moscow claimed the peninsula and the first casualties ratcheted up stakes in the worst East-West standoff since the Cold War. AFP PHOTO/ VASILIY BATANOV (Photo credit should read Vasiliy BATANOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE RUSSIA-UNREST-POLITICS-CRIMEA(45 of85)
An Ukrainian soldier stands guard inside the navy headquarters in Simferopol on March 18, 2014. Russia's Constitutional Court unanimously ruled on March 19, 2014 that President Vladimir Putin acted legally by signing a treaty to make Crimea part of Russia, in an essential step in the Russian legal process towards ratifying the treaty. AFP PHOTO/ Filippo MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE RUSSIA-UNREST-POLITICS-CRIMEA(46 of85)
Russian soldiers stand guard near Ukranian soldiers walking inside the Ukranian navy headquarters in Simferopol on March 18, 2014. Russia's Constitutional Court unanimously ruled on March 19, 2014 that President Vladimir Putin acted legally by signing a treaty to make Crimea part of Russia, in an essential step in the Russian legal process towards ratifying the treaty. AFP PHOTO/ Filippo MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE RUSSIA-UNREST-POLITICS-CRIMEA(47 of85)
A Russian soldier cleans his shoes outside the navy headquarters in Simferopol on March 18, 2014.. Russia's Constitutional Court unanimously ruled on March 19, 2014 that President Vladimir Putin acted legally by signing a treaty to make Crimea part of Russia, in an essential step in the Russian legal process towards ratifying the treaty. AFP PHOTO/ Filippo MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE RUSSIA-UNREST-POLITICS-CRIMEA(48 of85)
A Russian soldier patrols as Ukranian soldiers talk to friends from the Ukranian navy headquarters in Simferopol on March 18, 2014. Russia's Constitutional Court unanimously ruled on March 19, 2014 that President Vladimir Putin acted legally by signing a treaty to make Crimea part of Russia, in an essential step in the Russian legal process towards ratifying the treaty. AFP PHOTO/ Filippo MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE RUSSIA-UNREST-POLITICS-CRIMEA(49 of85)
An Ukranian soldier patrols inside the Ukranian navy headquarters in Simferopol on March 18, 2014. Russia's Constitutional Court unanimously ruled on March 19, 2014 that President Vladimir Putin acted legally by signing a treaty to make Crimea part of Russia, in an essential step in the Russian legal process towards ratifying the treaty. AFP PHOTO/ Filippo MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE RUSSIA-UNREST-POLITICS-CRIMEA(50 of85)
Russian soldiers stand guard as a woman gives food to an Ukranian soldier standing guard inside the Ukranian navy headquarters in Simferopol on March 18, 2014. Russia's Constitutional Court unanimously ruled on March 19, 2014 that President Vladimir Putin acted legally by signing a treaty to make Crimea part of Russia, in an essential step in the Russian legal process towards ratifying the treaty. AFP PHOTO/ Filippo MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE RUSSIA-UNREST-POLITICS-CRIMEA(51 of85)
A Russian soldiers cleans his shoes near an Ukranian soldier standing guard inside the Ukranian navy headquarters in Simferopol on March 18, 2014. Russia's Constitutional Court unanimously ruled on March 19, 2014 that President Vladimir Putin acted legally by signing a treaty to make Crimea part of Russia, in an essential step in the Russian legal process towards ratifying the treaty. AFP PHOTO/ Filippo MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE RUSSIA-UNREST-POLITICS-CRIMEA(52 of85)
Russian soldiers stand guard as a woman gives food to an Ukranian soldier standing guard inside the Ukranian navy headquarters in Simferopol on March 18, 2014. Russia's Constitutional Court unanimously ruled on March 19, 2014 that President Vladimir Putin acted legally by signing a treaty to make Crimea part of Russia, in an essential step in the Russian legal process towards ratifying the treaty. AFP PHOTO/ Filippo MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE RUSSIA-UNREST-POLITICS-CRIMEA(53 of85)
An Ukranian soldiers stands behind the fence as Russian soldiers patrol outside the navy headquarters in Simferopol on March 18, 2014. Russia's Constitutional Court unanimously ruled on March 19, 2014 that President Vladimir Putin acted legally by signing a treaty to make Crimea part of Russia, in an essential step in the Russian legal process towards ratifying the treaty. AFP PHOTO/ Filippo MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE RUSSIA-UNREST-POLITICS-CRIMEA(54 of85)
A woman talks to Russian soldiers patrolling outside the navy headquarters in Simferopol on March 18, 2014. Russia's Constitutional Court unanimously ruled on March 19, 2014 that President Vladimir Putin acted legally by signing a treaty to make Crimea part of Russia, in an essential step in the Russian legal process towards ratifying the treaty. AFP PHOTO/ Filippo MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
RUSSIA-UKRAINE-POLITICS-CRISIS-EU-US-PUTIN(55 of85)
Russia's President Vladimir Putin drinks as he addresses a joint session of Russian parliament on Crimea in the Kremlin in Moscow on March 18, 2014. Putin signed today a treaty with the leaders of Crimea on the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula becoming part of Russia, state television showed. AFP PHOTO/KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV (Photo credit should read KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
RUSSIA-UKRAINE-POLITICS-CRISIS-EU-US-PUTIN(56 of85)
Russia's President Vladimir Putin addresses a joint session of Russian parliament on Crimea in the Kremlin in Moscow on March 18, 2014. Putin signed today a treaty with the leaders of Crimea on the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula becoming part of Russia, state television showed. AFP PHOTO/ POOL/ SERGEI ILNITSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI ILNITSKY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
RUSSIA-UKRAINE-POLITICS-CRISIS-EU-US-PUTIN(57 of85)
Russia's President Vladimir Putin looks on as he addresses a joint session of Russian parliament on Crimea in the Kremlin in Moscow on March 18, 2014. Putin signed today a treaty with the leaders of Crimea on the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula becoming part of Russia, state television showed. AFP PHOTO/KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV (Photo credit should read KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
RUSSIA-UKRAINE-POLITICS-CRISIS-EU-US-PUTIN(58 of85)
Russia's President Vladimir Putin addresses a joint session of Russian parliament on Crimea in the Kremlin in Moscow on March 18, 2014. Putin signed today a treaty with the leaders of Crimea on the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula becoming part of Russia, state television showed. AFP PHOTO/KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV (Photo credit should read KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
RUSSIA-UKRAINE-POLITICS-CRISIS-EU-US-PUTIN(59 of85)
Russia's President Vladimir Putin addresses a joint session of Russian parliament on Crimea in the Kremlin in Moscow on March 18, 2014. Putin signed today a treaty with the leaders of Crimea on the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula becoming part of Russia, state television showed. AFP PHOTO/ POOL/ SERGEI ILNITSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI ILNITSKY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
RUSSIA-UKRAINE-POLITICS-CRISIS-EU-US-PUTIN(60 of85)
Russia's President Vladimir Putin addresses a joint session of Russian parliament on Crimea in the Kremlin in Moscow on March 18, 2014. Putin signed today a treaty with the leaders of Crimea on the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula becoming part of Russia, state television showed. AFP PHOTO/ POOL/ SERGEI ILNITSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI ILNITSKY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
RUSSIA-UKRAINE-POLITICS-CRISIS-EU-US-PUTIN(61 of85)
Russia's President Vladimir Putin arrives to address a joint session of Russian parliament on Crimea in the Kremlin in Moscow on March 18, 2014. Putin signed today a treaty with the leaders of Crimea on the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula becoming part of Russia, state television showed. AFP PHOTO/ POOL/ SERGEI ILNITSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI ILNITSKY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
CORRECTION-UKRAINE-RUSSIA-UNREST-POLITICS(62 of85)
A man holds a Russian flag as he secures the Crimean parliament building in central Simferopol on March 17, 2014. Crimea declared independence today and applied to join Russia while the Kremlin braced for sanctions after the flashpoint peninsula voted to leave Ukraine in a ballot that has fanned the worst East-West tensions since the Cold War. AFP PHOTO / DIMITAR DILKOFF CAPTION CORRECTION CORRECTING FLAG (Photo credit should read DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
US-POLITICS-UKRAINE-OBAMA(63 of85)
US President Barack Obama speaks about the situation in the Crimea region of Ukraine during a statement in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, March 17, 2014. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
US-POLITICS-UKRAINE-OBAMA(64 of85)
US President Barack Obama leaves after speaking about the situation in the Crimea region of Ukraine during a statement in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, March 17, 2014. The United States and Europe targeted Vladimir Putin's inner circle on Monday, slapping sanctions on senior officials to pressure the Kremlin to abandon moves to annex Crimea. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
US-POLITICS-UKRAINE-OBAMA(65 of85)
US President Barack Obama speaks about the situation in the Crimea region of Ukraine during a statement in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, March 17, 2014. The United States and Europe targeted Vladimir Putin's inner circle on Monday, slapping sanctions on senior officials to pressure the Kremlin to abandon moves to annex Crimea. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
US-POLITICS-UKRAINE-OBAMA(66 of85)
US President Barack Obama speaks about the situation in the Crimea region of Ukraine during a statement in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, March 17, 2014. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-UNREST-RUSSIA(67 of85)
Russian armoured vehicles drive on the road between Simferopol and Sevastopol on March 17, 2014. Ukraine's foreign minister denounced Russian 'provocations' on March 17, 2014, warning of a troop build-up on the border and the presence of 'political tourists' in its eastern regions. 'We are very much concerned by the number of Russian troops on the (border),' Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytsya said after talks with NATO head Anders Fogh Rasmussen. AFP PHOTO/ VIKTOR DRACHEV (Photo credit should read VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-UNREST-RUSSIA(68 of85)
A Russian armoured vehicle drives on the road between Simferopol and Sevastopol on March 17, 2014. Ukraine's foreign minister denounced Russian 'provocations' on March 17, 2014, warning of a troop build-up on the border and the presence of 'political tourists' in its eastern regions. 'We are very much concerned by the number of Russian troops on the (border),' Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytsya said after talks with NATO head Anders Fogh Rasmussen. AFP PHOTO/ VIKTOR DRACHEV (Photo credit should read VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-UNREST-RUSSIA(69 of85)
Russian armoured vehicles drive on the road between Simferopol and Sevastopol on March 17, 2014. Ukraine's foreign minister denounced Russian 'provocations' on March 17, 2014, warning of a troop build-up on the border and the presence of 'political tourists' in its eastern regions. 'We are very much concerned by the number of Russian troops on the (border),' Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytsya said after talks with NATO head Anders Fogh Rasmussen. AFP PHOTO/ VIKTOR DRACHEV (Photo credit should read VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Crimea Recognised As Sovereign State By Putin(70 of85)
SIMFEROPOL, UKRAINE - MARCH 18: Stall holders and members of the public gather round a laptop to watch an address by Russia's President Vladimir Putin on a market stall on March 18, 2014 in Simferopol, Ukraine. Speaking at the Kremlin President Putin told a special session of Russia's parliament that Crimea had 'always been part of Russia', and recognised Crimea as a sovereign state. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Crimea Recognised As Sovereign State By Putin(71 of85)
SIMFEROPOL, UKRAINE - MARCH 18: Russian President Vladimir Putin is viewed on a television screen in a cafe on March 18, 2014 in Simferopol, Ukraine. Putin celebrated this weekend's referendum in Crimea, saying that 96% who voted chose to join Russia. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Crimea Goes To The Polls In Crucial Referendum(72 of85)
SIMFEROPOL, UKRAINE - MARCH 16: People in Lenin Square attend a pro Russian rally after a day of voting on March 16, 2014 in Simferopol, Ukraine. Crimean's went to the polls today in a vote that which will decide whether the peninsular will break away from mainland Ukraine. The referendum, which has been dismissed as illegal by the West, follows the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych by pro-Western and nationalist protesters. As the standoff between the Russian military and Ukrainian forces continues in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, world leaders are continuing toÊ push for a diplomatic solution to the escalating situation though many believe that there is every likelihood that thy vote will favor Crimea being incorporated into Russia. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Crimea Goes To The Polls In Crucial Referendum(73 of85)
SIMFEROPOL, UKRAINE - MARCH 16: People in Lenin Square attend a pro Russian rally after a day of voting on March 16, 2014 in Simferopol, Ukraine. Crimean's went to the polls today in a vote that which will decide whether the peninsular will break away from mainland Ukraine. The referendum, which has been dismissed as illegal by the West, follows the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych by pro-Western and nationalist protesters. As the standoff between the Russian military and Ukrainian forces continues in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, world leaders are continuing toÊ push for a diplomatic solution to the escalating situation though many believe that there is every likelihood that thy vote will favor Crimea being incorporated into Russia. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Crimea Goes To The Polls In Crucial Referendum(74 of85)
SIMFEROPOL, UKRAINE - MARCH 16: People in Lenin Square attend a pro Russian rally after a day of voting on March 16, 2014 in Simferopol, Ukraine. Crimean's went to the polls today in a vote that which will decide whether the peninsular will break away from mainland Ukraine. The referendum, which has been dismissed as illegal by the West, follows the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych by pro-Western and nationalist protesters. As the standoff between the Russian military and Ukrainian forces continues in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, world leaders are continuing toÊ push for a diplomatic solution to the escalating situation though many believe that there is every likelihood that thy vote will favor Crimea being incorporated into Russia. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Crimea Goes To The Polls In Crucial Referendum(75 of85)
SIMFEROPOL, UKRAINE - MARCH 16: People in Lenin Square attend a pro Russian rally after a day of voting on March 16, 2014 in Simferopol, Ukraine. Crimean's went to the polls today in a vote that which will decide whether the peninsular will break away from mainland Ukraine. The referendum, which has been dismissed as illegal by the West, follows the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych by pro-Western and nationalist protesters. As the standoff between the Russian military and Ukrainian forces continues in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, world leaders are continuing toÊ push for a diplomatic solution to the escalating situation though many believe that there is every likelihood that thy vote will favor Crimea being incorporated into Russia. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Crimea Goes To The Polls In Crucial Referendum(76 of85)
SIMFEROPOL, UKRAINE - MARCH 16: Election staff begin the count at a polling station after a day of voting on March 16, 2014 in Bachchisaray, Ukraine. Crimeans go to the polls today in a vote that which will decide whether the peninsular will break away from mainland Ukraine. The referendum, which has been dismissed as illegal by the West, follows the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych by pro-Western and nationalist protesters. As the standoff between the Russian military and Ukrainian forces continues in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, world leaders are continuing to push for a diplomatic solution to the escalating situation though many believe that there is every likelihood that thy vote will favour Crimea being incorporated into Russia. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Crimea Goes To The Polls In Crucial Referendum(77 of85)
SIMFEROPOL, UKRAINE - MARCH 16: People in Lenin Square attend a pro Russian rally after a day of voting on March 16, 2014 in Simferopol, Ukraine. Crimean's went to the polls today in a vote that which will decide whether the peninsular will break away from mainland Ukraine. The referendum, which has been dismissed as illegal by the West, follows the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych by pro-Western and nationalist protesters. As the standoff between the Russian military and Ukrainian forces continues in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, world leaders are continuing toÊ push for a diplomatic solution to the escalating situation though many believe that there is every likelihood that thy vote will favor Crimea being incorporated into Russia. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Crimea Goes To The Polls In Crucial Referendum(78 of85)
SIMFEROPOL, UKRAINE - MARCH 16: People in Lenin Square attend a pro Russian rally after a day of voting on March 16, 2014 in Simferopol, Ukraine. Crimean's went to the polls today in a vote that which will decide whether the peninsular will break away from mainland Ukraine. The referendum, which has been dismissed as illegal by the West, follows the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych by pro-Western and nationalist protesters. As the standoff between the Russian military and Ukrainian forces continues in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, world leaders are continuing toÊ push for a diplomatic solution to the escalating situation though many believe that there is every likelihood that thy vote will favor Crimea being incorporated into Russia. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Crimea Goes To The Polls In Crucial Referendum(79 of85)
SIMFEROPOL, UKRAINE - MARCH 16: People in Lenin Square attend a pro Russian rally after a day of voting on March 16, 2014 in Simferopol, Ukraine. Crimean's went to the polls today in a vote that which will decide whether the peninsular will break away from mainland Ukraine. The referendum, which has been dismissed as illegal by the West, follows the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych by pro-Western and nationalist protesters. As the standoff between the Russian military and Ukrainian forces continues in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, world leaders are continuing toÊ push for a diplomatic solution to the escalating situation though many believe that there is every likelihood that thy vote will favor Crimea being incorporated into Russia. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-UNREST-POLITICS-CRIMEA(80 of85)
Pro-Russian supporters gather in Simferopol's Lenin Square on March 16, 2014 after exit polls showed that about 93 percent of voters in Ukraine's Crimea region supported union with Russia. Crimeans voted overwhelmingly to join former political master Russia as tensions soared in the east of the splintered ex-Soviet nation amid the worst East-West crisis since the Cold War. AFP PHOTO/Filippo MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Crimea Goes To The Polls In Crucial Referendum(81 of85)
SIMFEROPOL, UKRAINE - MARCH 16: People in Lenin Square attend a pro Russian rally after a day of voting on March 16, 2014 in Simferopol, Ukraine. Crimean's went to the polls today in a vote that which will decide whether the peninsular will break away from mainland Ukraine. The referendum, which has been dismissed as illegal by the West, follows the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych by pro-Western and nationalist protesters. As the standoff between the Russian military and Ukrainian forces continues in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, world leaders are continuing toÊ push for a diplomatic solution to the escalating situation though many believe that there is every likelihood that thy vote will favor Crimea being incorporated into Russia. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Crimea Goes To The Polls In Crucial Referendum(82 of85)
SIMFEROPOL, UKRAINE - MARCH 16: People in Lenin Square attend a pro Russian rally after a day of voting on March 16, 2014 in Simferopol, Ukraine. Crimean's went to the polls today in a vote that which will decide whether the peninsular will break away from mainland Ukraine. The referendum, which has been dismissed as illegal by the West, follows the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych by pro-Western and nationalist protesters. As the standoff between the Russian military and Ukrainian forces continues in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, world leaders are continuing toÊ push for a diplomatic solution to the escalating situation though many believe that there is every likelihood that thy vote will favor Crimea being incorporated into Russia. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-CRISIS(83 of85)
Pro-Russian demonstrators hold Russian flags, as they gather in Simferopol's Lenin Square on March 16, 2014. Crimeans voted overwhelmingly on March 16 in favour of joining former political master Russia as tensions soared in the east of the splintered ex-Soviet nation amid the worst East-West crisis since the Cold War. Exit polls cited by local officials showed 93 percent of the voters in favour of leaving Ukraine and joining Russia in the most serious redrawing of the map of Europe since Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence from Serbia. AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Crimea Goes To The Polls In Crucial Referendum(84 of85)
SIMFEROPOL, UKRAINE - MARCH 16: Election staff begin the count at a polling station after a day of voting on March 16, 2014 in Bachchisaray, Ukraine. Crimeans go to the polls today in a vote that which will decide whether the peninsular will break away from mainland Ukraine. The referendum, which has been dismissed as illegal by the West, follows the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych by pro-Western and nationalist protesters. As the standoff between the Russian military and Ukrainian forces continues in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, world leaders are continuing to push for a diplomatic solution to the escalating situation though many believe that there is every likelihood that thy vote will favour Crimea being incorporated into Russia. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Crimea Goes To The Polls In Crucial Referendum(85 of85)
SIMFEROPOL, UKRAINE - MARCH 16: Election staff begin the count at a polling station after a day of voting on March 16, 2014 in Bachchisaray, Ukraine. Crimeans go to the polls today in a vote that which will decide whether the peninsular will break away from mainland Ukraine. The referendum, which has been dismissed as illegal by the West, follows the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych by pro-Western and nationalist protesters. As the standoff between the Russian military and Ukrainian forces continues in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, world leaders are continuing to push for a diplomatic solution to the escalating situation though many believe that there is every likelihood that thy vote will favour Crimea being incorporated into Russia. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)