Lawmakers in the embattled Ukrainian region of Crimea have voted to join Russia, in a move likely to further escalate tensions.
Thursday's vote by the Moscow-backed Crimean parliament comes as European Union leaders gather for an emergency summit in Brussels to discuss how to pressure Russia to back down from its military incursion into Crimea. U.S. lawmakers are also meeting Thursday to discuss potential economic sanctions against Russia.
The government of Crimea, a Black Sea peninsula with a majority Russian population, said Thursday it is scheduling a referendum on joining Russia for March 16. Russian President Vladimir Putin is being asked to consider the appeal.
The Reuters news agency quotes Ukraine's economy minister ((Pavlo Sheremeta)) as saying the referendum on Crimea's status is "unconstitutional."
Crimea's move to leave Ukraine is likely to shake up efforts toward a diplomatic resolution to the crisis.