SHAM VOTE

97% of Crimea Votes to Join Russia

Now what?

While early reports suggested 93 percent of Crimea voted in favor of joining Russia, an even greater 97 percent back the move, according to Crimean officials. Mikhail Malyshev, head of the referendum election commission, also bragged on Monday that not a single complaint with the voting was registered. Crimea's parliament declared the region an independent state and formally asked to become part of Russia. The parliament in Moscow intends to pass legislation allowing Crimea to join Russia "in the very near future.” The U.S. and European Union do not consider the vote legitimate, claiming it violates Ukraine's constitution and took place under pressure from the Russian military.