Crimea Updates: Russian Parliament welcomes Crimea Delegations, Backing a Controversial Vote to Secede from Ukraine

Russia Federation has declared its total support for Ukraine's breakaway movement in Crimea.

Moscow  parliament is welcoming a delegation from the autonomous republic to Moscow and backing its vote to secede from Ukraine.

Putin's government says that despite deep differences with the West on the crisis, it hopes common ground will be found to avoid a new Cold War.

"We want to live peacefully in Russia" - Crimea Russians

Crimea referendum on joining Russia to be held March 16

 About 50 people on Thursday morning rallied outside the local parliament in Simferopol, Crimea's capital, waving Russian and Crimean flags.

The posters they held was one that said "Russia, defend us from genocide." "We are tired of revolutions, maidans and conflicts and we want to live peacefully in Russia," said one of the bystanders, Igor Urbansky, 35. "Only Russia can give us a peaceful life."