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The United States responded with tougher sanctions after Moscow's lower house of parliament overwhelmingly
approved a treaty Thursday to annex the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea from Ukraine.
After Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had presented the treaty and urged lawmakers
to accept the region as a part of the Russian Federation, the document was approved on a
vote of 443 to 1. Russia's Federation Council upper house will
hold a similar vote Friday, completing ratification of a treaty that was signed by President Vladimir
Putin on Tuesday. Speaking "on behalf" of Putin, Lavrov had
told the State Duma that folding Crimea into Russia was needed to protect ethnic Russians
there. "I am certain that passing the document will
become a turning point in the destiny of multi-ethnic nations of Crimea and Russia, who are related
with close ties of the historical unity," Lavrov said.
"These nations joining in the framework of one state will certainly help grow wealth
and prosperity and is in line with Russia's interests."
Russia's moves to annex Crimea have turned a confrontation with Europe and the United
States into the biggest crisis in East-West relations since the Cold War.
Approval of the treaty in the State Duma was in no doubt as Russia has stood defiant despite
Western leaders denouncing Moscow's actions as a violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and
a breach of international law. European Union leaders are due to meet in
Brussels, Belgium, on Thursday to discuss the crisis, with possible further targeted
sanctions. U.S. and EU officials have imposed sanctions
on more than two dozen Russian and Crimean officials, and urged Russia to avoid escalating
the crisis. Moscow has ignored those calls. U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday announced
more sanctions on people and one bank in response to Russia's annexation moves, as well as a
new executive order that authorizes possible further sanctions on what he called "key sectors"
of the Russian economy. "We want the Ukrainian people to determine
their own destiny and have good relations with the United States, Russia, Europe -- anyone
they choose," he said in calling for continued diplomatic efforts.