Slutsky: State Duma will decide on Crimea after referendum

Russian State DumaAll factions of the State Duma support the territorial integrity of Ukraine, but understand the right of the people of Crimea to raise issues they see fit, Leonid Slutsky, the head of the State Duma committee on CIS affairs, said.

"All factions of the State Duma currently support the territorial integrity of Ukraine, but at the same time we understand the right of the people of Crimea to raise issues that they believe can be put up for referendum. The March 16 referendum will show the collegial position of the people of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and we will decide on our position, the position of the State Duma, of the Russian Federation, on the basis of that position," Slutsky told reporters on Thursday.

Slutsky said it should be understood that the people of Crimea are concerned about the safety and their future and speak sincerely about what they want.

"The final results will be shown by the referendum," Slutsky said.

He reiterated that the people of Crimea are wording the questions for the referendum in the way that they want, and Russia cannot interfere in this process.

"We will state our reaction after the March 16 referendum," he said.

kyivpost.com