If no appropriate reaction is expressed to the situation in Crimea, where the local authorities are organizing a referendum on withdrawing from Ukraine, and Russia absorbs this territory, a dangerous precedent will be set for other states, Ukrainian Ambassador in Chisinau Serhii Pyrozhkov said in the program “Fabrika” on Publika TV channel, IPN reports.

Serhii Pyrozhkov said the situation in Ukraine is tense owing to the Russian military forces present in Crimea. The Parliament of Ukraine is against holding a referendum on Crimea’s withdrawal from the composition of Ukraine on March 16, while the Constitutional Court ruled that the Crimean legislature’ decision on the referendum is unconstitutional.

Under the Constitutional Court’s decision, the organization of the referendum must be immediately stopped. The ambassador said that Russia insists on the holding of the referendum and thus makes the situation in Crimea tense. The plebiscite is organized not in accordance with the international rules.

Serhii Pyrozhkov said that this tendency is dangerous for other states too as, if a region announces its decision to withdraw from the composition of a state, Russia will be able to absorb it. The diplomat considers that a reaction is necessary as a dangerous precedent is set.

The program’s permanent expert Cristian Tabara said that Crimea has a special status. It practically benefitted from independence as part of Ukraine, while the Russian military presence there makes any dialogue impossible. It’s difficult to anticipate what will happen there after referendum and what the reactions will be if it is decided that Crimea would join Russia. The international partners must react.

Ukraine is confronted with a crisis that arouse after the former government decided to suspend the association with the EU. The protests mounted in the country degenerated into violence and led to the ousting of the government. Experts and officials said the situation in Ukraine poses economic and political threats to Moldova.