You're reading: Poroshenko calls Crimea’s decision to hold referendum illegal

Ukraine's MP (out of faction) Petro Poroshenko believes the initiative of the Supreme Council of Crimea to hold a referendum is illegal.

“It is no coincidence that the referendum has been rescheduled for March 30. There is an absolutely clear position: it is illegal, the issues it includes are not the issues of regulating the Crimean parliament or a local referendum,” he said at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine on Saturday.

As reported, the Crimean parliament at an extraordinary plenary meeting on February 27 adopted a resolution to hold a republican (local) referendum on the issues of improving the status and powers of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. Originally the referendum was scheduled for May 25.

In accordance with the decree, the issue “The Autonomous Republic of Crimea has a state independence and is part of Ukraine on the basis of treaties and agreements” (yes or no) will be put to the referendum.

On Saturday, the Council of Ministers of Crimea decided to reschedule the referendum to expand the status and powers of Crimea for March 30.