TEMPO.CO, London - United Kingdom Foreign Secretary William Hague, said that on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, the United Kingdom has suspended its military cooperation with Russia, calling the reunification of Crimea as "a land grab."
"We have cancelled French, Russian, UK, US naval exercises, and suspended a proposed Royal Navy ship visit to Russia," Hague told the House of Commons on Wednesday, March 19, 2014.
The Crimean referendum saw 96.7 percent of the voters choose to join Russia after 60 years of being a part of Ukraine. There was low turnout among ethnic-Ukrainians and Tartars in Crimea, and there were accusations of coercion by Russian forces currently occupying Crimea.
"It was regrettable to hear President Putin today choosing the route of isolation, denying the citizens of his own country, and of Crimea, partnership with the international community and full membership of a range of international organizations," said Hague.
UK officials described the Crimea referendum as "a mockery of democratic practice" and Hague said the crisis in Ukraine is a serious test of European security in the 21st century.
"... This is an incursion into a sovereign state and a land grab of part of its territory with no respect for the law of that country or for international law," he said.
RIA NOVOSTI | ROSALINA