White House rejects Crimea referendum

The White House will be rejecting the results of the Crimean referendum, insisting it was held “under threats of violence and intimidation”.

More than 95% of Crime voters, largely ethnic Russians, approved splitting off joining Russia.

But US President Barack Obama told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that a diplomatic solution could still be achieved – only if Russian military forces end their incursions into Ukrainian territory.

Obama said the referendum would “never” be recognized by the international community and that the United States and its European partners are prepared to “impose additional costs” on Russia for its actions, according to the White House.

“Russia’s actions are dangerous and destabilizing,” said the White House, in a statement from the Office of the Press Secretary.

Putin sent troops into the neighboring region days after Ukraine's pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted last month in a political uprising.

“The United States has steadfastly supported the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine since it declared its independence in 1991,” the White House said. “The international community will not recognize the results of a poll administered under threats of violence and intimidation from a Russian military intervention that violates international law.”

In addition, U.S. officials warned that any Russian moves on east and south Ukraine would be a grave escalation requiring additional responses.