EU rejects Crimea-Kosovo comparisons

EU rejects Crimea-Kosovo comparisons

Threats of genocide spurred Kosovo's separation, but no such threat lies in Crimea.

Propaganda billboards in Crimea draw comparisons to Nazism to persuade voters to separate from Ukraine. [AFP]

On the eve of a controversial referendum championed by pro-Russian forces in the Crimea peninsula, the European Union is rejecting Moscow's comparison of Crimea to Kosovo's separation from Serbia.

The comparison is being used by authorities in Moscow in an attempt to legitimise a March 16th referendum called by Crimea officials to separate from Ukraine. "There is absolutely no comparison," Maja Kocijancic, spokesperson for EU High Commissioner Catherine Ashton, told SETimes.

Sunday's referendum follows the ouster of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, who fled to Russia rather than face charges for the death of protesters during months of demonstrations in Kiev. The new government is recognised by the West.

Moscow, meanwhile, backs pro-Russian paramilitaries that, according to widespread media reports, are beating and abducting ethnic Tatars and Ukrainians in the region, which is dominated by ethnic Russians.

In one such attack reported by the Associated Press on Thursday (March 13th), 10 men, some masked, wearing camouflage, and carrying automatic weapons, pistols and knives, brutally beat two Ukrainian soldiers in the middle of Simferopol and then attacked onlookers who tried to stop the attacks.

But there is support for Ukraine as well. More than 100 gathered to hear speeches and sing the Ukrainian national anthem. Speakers led participants in chants including "Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the Nation!"

They exhorted people to raise money and bring food to...