BBC: First Deputy Prime Minister of Crimea, Rustam Temirgaliev, says that he is confident that the region will be part of the Russian Federation "in a few days".
Speaking to the BBC's World Affairs editor John Simpson, he said that he was confident that up to 75% of Crimean citizens would support such a move.
MPs in Crimea have asked Moscow to allow the southern Ukrainian region to become part of the Russian Federation. There will be a referendum to ratify the parliament decision on 16 March. (+ BBC video) » | Thursday, March 06, 2014