BRUSSELS The European Union will raise the stakes in a confrontation with Russia over Ukraine on Monday by slapping sanctions on Russian officials, a day after voters in Ukraine's Crimea region opted to join Russia in a referendum the EU condemned as illegal. 
 
 EU diplomats worked late into the night on Sunday, haggling over a list of people in Crimea and Russia who will be hit with travel bans and asset freezes for actions which "threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine." 
 
 The initial list of 120 to 130 names, including senior figures in Russia's military and political establishment, will be whittled down to perhaps "tens or scores" of people before EU foreign ministers take the final decision in Brussels on Monday, diplomats say. 
 
 Ministers are also expected to cancel an EU-Russia Summit scheduled to be held in Sochi in June. 
 
 Sunday's Crimea referendum has only reinforced European anger over Russia's military intervention there, despite results showing Crimeans voted overwhelmingly to break away from Ukraine and to join Russia. 
 
 An EU statement on Sunday said the referendum was illegal and illegitimate and its outcome would not be recognized. 
 
 "It is quite clear that the behavior of Russia until now is completely unacceptable," Dutch Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans said as he arrived for a meeting of Socialist foreign ministers in Brussels on Sunday evening. 
 
 Timmermans said he expected EU sanctions adopted on Monday would be "relatively limited" but said there could be more to come, possibly as soon as an EU summit later this week. 
 
 The risk of Europe and Russia becoming locked in a damaging spiral of economic retaliation depended on Russia, he said. 
 
 "I would do anything possible to avoid sanctions, because I believe everybody will suffer if we get into sanctions, but the only ones who can prevent this are the Russians," he said. 
 
 SANCTIONS ON THE WAY 
 
 German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, accusing Russia of preparing the annexation of Crimea, said Moscow had not accepted the ways out of the crisis it had been offered. 
 
 "So (on Monday) we'll have to take decisions that will make clear our attitude to the preparation of this annexation. That will be an area of sanctions in the next step," he told Germany's ZDF television. 
 
 He said he would argue for a process of gradually tightening sanctions "in which there is a way out at every step." 
 
 British Foreign Secretary William Hague said in a statement that the EU must adopt measures on Monday "that send a strong signal to Russia that this challenge to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine will bring economic and political consequences." 
 
 German tabloid newspaper Bild reported last week that the chief executive officers of Russia's two biggest companies - Gazprom's Alexei Miller and Igor Sechin of Rosneft - would be on the final sanctions list, but European diplomats have dismissed that report. 
 
 EU foreign ministers are expected on Monday to condemn what they will call "an illegal referendum" in Crimea, according to a draft statement seen by Reuters. 
 
 "It was held in the visible presence of armed soldiers under conditions of intimidation of civic activists and journalists, blacking out of Ukrainian television channels and obstruction of civilian traffic in and out of Crimea," they will say. 
 
 They will urge Russia to defuse the crisis and hold direct talks with Ukraine's government but will repeat the EU's warning that any further steps by Russia to destabilize the situation in Ukraine would lead to "additional and far-reaching consequences for relations in a broad range of economic areas." 
 
 Russia's military occupation of Crimea after Ukraine's pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovich was ousted has provoked a deep crisis in East-West relations reminiscent of the Cold War. 
 
 Yanukovich's decision to turn his back on signing a trade and political agreement with the 28-nation EU last November in favor of closer ties with Moscow prompted months of street protests that eventually led to his downfall. 
 
 (Additional reporting by Justyna Pawlak, Phil Blenkinsop and Luke Baker in Brussels and Annika Breidthardt in Berlin; Editing by Chris Reese) ||||| SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine (AP) — Crimea's parliament on Monday declared the region an independent state, after its residents voted overwhelmingly to break off from Ukraine and seek to join Russia. 
 
 Self defense volunteers line up outside the Parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, Monday, March 17, 2014. A referendum held in Crimea on Sunday was widely condemned by Western leaders who were planning to discuss... (Associated Press) 
 
 Pro-Russian people celebrate in the central square in Sevastopol, Ukraine, early Monday, March 17, 2014. Russian flags fluttered above jubilant crowds Sunday after residents in Crimea voted overwhelmingly... (Associated Press) 
 
 Pro-Russian people celebrate in the central square in Sevastopol, Ukraine, late Sunday, March 16, 2014. Russian flags fluttered above jubilant crowds Sunday after residents in Crimea voted overwhelmingly... (Associated Press) 
 
 In this photo taken on Sunday, March 16, 2014, Pro-Russia demonstrators chant slogans as they carry a giant flag during a rally at a central square in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Thousands of pro-Russia demonstrators... (Associated Press) 
 
 Pro-Russian people celebrate in the central square in Sevastopol, Ukraine, late Sunday, March 16, 2014. Russian flags fluttered above jubilant crowds Sunday after residents in Crimea voted overwhelmingly... (Associated Press) 
 
 In the same resolution, it said that all Ukrainian state property on the territory of the Black Sea peninsula will be nationalized and become the property of the Crimean Republic. 
 
 Sunday's referendum is not recognized by the West, and the United States and the European Union are preparing sanctions against Russia, whose troops have been occupying Crimea for several weeks. 
 
 Crimean lawmakers have asked the United Nations and other nations to recognize it. 
 
 A delegation of Crimean lawmakers is set to travel to Moscow Monday for negotiations on how to proceed further. Russian lawmakers have suggested that formally annexing Crimea is just a matter of time. ||||| Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Daniel Sandford reports from Crimea: ''Wild scenes in Simferopol'' 
 
 EU foreign ministers are due to discuss further sanctions against Russia after a Moscow-backed referendum in Crimea backed a split from Ukraine. 
 
 Election officials in Crimea, where pro-Russian forces are in control, say 97% of voters backed joining Russia. 
 
 The government in Kiev described the vote as a "circus performance" and said it would not recognise the result. 
 
 The EU and US say the referendum was illegal, but Russia says it was consistent with international law. 
 
 The truth is that there is little that the authorities here can do without significant outside help Kiev seeks West response 
 
 US President Barack Obama has warned Moscow that Washington is also ready to impose "costs" over its actions in Ukraine. 
 
 As polls closed on Sunday night, the White House said the international community "will not recognize the results of a poll administered under threats of violence", describing Russia's actions as "dangerous and destabilizing". 
 
 Assets freeze 
 
 The new authorities in Kiev say Russian troops moved in to Crimea after Ukraine's pro-Moscow president, Viktor Yanukovych, was ousted following months of street protests. 
 
 Image copyright Reuters Image caption Crimea's pro-Moscow leader Sergei Aksyonov told people celebrating in Sevastopol that the region was "going home" to Moscow 
 
 Image copyright AP Image caption Pro-Russian troops, which Moscow says are self-defence forces and not under its command, began arriving in Crimea in late February 
 
 Image copyright Reuters Image caption The EU's foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, said the bloc "can't simply sit back and say this situation can be allowed to happen" 
 
 The Kremlin has officially denied deploying its troops in Crimea, describing the armed men without insignia as "Crimea's self-defence forces". 
 
 Crimea would perish as part of the EU. We are not competitive - what could be offer Europe? Sveta Tweeting from a lunch in #Crimea 
 
 Crimean leaders are expected to formally apply to the Kremlin on Monday to join Russia. 
 
 The Russian parliament had been expected to wait until Friday to begin debating the relevant legislation. But the BBC's Richard Galpin in Moscow says it is now believed the process of absorbing Crimea could take place under existing laws. 
 
 Whatever the procedure is, the indications so far are that it will happen soon, says our correspondent. 
 
 Speaking in Brussels, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said the "so-called referendum" was "illegal under the constitution of Ukraine and under international law". 
 
 "I call upon Russia yet again to meet with Ukrainian leaders and to start a dialogue with them, and to try to move to de-escalation, please, as quickly as possible. We've seen no evidence of that," she told reporters. 
 
 She said the EU "can't simply sit back and say this situation can be allowed to happen", but that ministers needed to think carefully about what their response should be. 
 
 EU foreign ministers from the 28 EU countries, meeting in Brussels, are considering a visa ban and an asset freeze against a number of Russian officials. 
 
 The bloc has already suspended talks on an economic pact with Russia and an easing of visa restrictions. 
 
 The ministers will now be toughening the measures by discussing a list of names of those who could be subject to an asset freeze and a visa ban. 
 
 Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Crimean Tatars say they want the peninsula to stay with Ukraine, fearing further deportations 
 
 Image copyright Reuters Image caption Many Tatars said they were refusing to take part in the poll, which did not give the option of maintaining the status quo 
 
 However, the question remains whether the target should just be the list of people related to the takeover in Crimea or the inner circle around Russian President Vladimir Putin, the BBC's Europe editor Gavin Hewitt says. 
 
 If an asset freeze and visa ban does not rattle Moscow or Russia makes further military moves into eastern Ukraine, he adds, the EU has already warned of moving to another stage which would involve economic sanctions. 
 
 Earlier, the EU said in a statement that the vote was "illegal and illegitimate and its outcome will not be recognised". 
 
 'Going home' 
 
 Crimean voters had been asked whether they wanted to join Russia, or have greater autonomy within Ukraine. There was no option for those who wanted the constitutional arrangements to remain unchanged. 
 
 On Sunday night, thousands of Crimeans began to celebrate as news of a landslide pro-Moscow result emerged. 
 
 Crisis timeline 21 Nov 2013: President Viktor Yanukovych abandons an EU deal 
 
 President Viktor Yanukovych abandons an EU deal Dec: Pro-EU protesters occupy Kiev city hall and Independence Square 
 
 Pro-EU protesters occupy Kiev city hall and Independence Square 20-21 Feb 2014: At least 88 people killed in Kiev clashes 
 
 At least 88 people killed in Kiev clashes 22 Feb: Mr Yanukovych flees; parliament removes him and calls election 
 
 Mr Yanukovych flees; parliament removes him and calls election 27-28 Feb: Pro-Russian gunmen seize key buildings in Crimea 
 
 Pro-Russian gunmen seize key buildings in Crimea 6 Mar: Crimea's parliament votes to join Russia 
 
 Crimea's parliament votes to join Russia 16 Mar: Crimea voters choose to secede in disputed referendum Wording of ballot paper Law and order breakdown Is Russian intervention legal? 
 
 Sergei Aksyonov, Crimea's pro-Moscow leader installed last month after the Russian takeover, appeared on stage in Crimea's regional capital, Simferopol. 
 
 Backed by the Russian national anthem, Russian flags, and the personnel of Russia's Black Sea fleet, he told supporters that Crimea was "going home". 
 
 On Monday morning, the chairman of the regional election commission, Mikhail Malyshev said complete initial results showed voters were 96.77% in favour of joining Russia. 
 
 Some 58% of people in Crimea are ethnic Russian, with the rest made up of Ukrainians and Tatars. 
 
 Most of the Tatars that the BBC spoke to said they had boycotted the vote, and felt that life under the Kremlin would be worse. 
 
 The Tatars were deported to Central Asia by Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin in 1944. They were only able to return with the fall of the Soviet Union and many want to remain in Ukraine. ||||| As Crimea votes in favor of secession, the threat of sanctions with Russia grows. (Reuters) 
 
 As Crimea votes in favor of secession, the threat of sanctions with Russia grows. (Reuters) 
 
 Having failed to prevent a Russian-sponsored referendum in Crimea, the Obama administration and its European allies refocused their efforts Sunday on keeping Moscow from annexing the autonomous Ukrainian region and expanding its military moves into other parts of Ukraine. 
 
 In a telephone call to Russian President Vladi­mir Putin — his third in two weeks — President Obama said that the referendum “would never be recognized by the United States and the international community” and that “we are prepared to impose additional costs on Russia for its actions,” the White House said. 
 
 An earlier White House statement, issued as Crimean polls were closing on an overwhelming vote by residents to become part of Russia, called Moscow’s actions “dangerous and destabilizing” and said that “military intervention and violation of international law will bring increasing costs for Russia.” 
 
 European Union officials are due to meet Monday to consider measures — including an asset freeze and a travel ban on as-yet-unnamed Russian individuals deemed responsible for military aggression and corruption in Ukraine — that British Foreign Secretary William Hague said “must be adopted.” 
 
 But how far the West is prepared to go in punishing Russia for the referendum, and how much further Putin intends to take his quest for control over part, if not all, of Ukraine, remain uncertain. 
 
 1 of 43 Full Screen Autoplay Close March 21, 2014 Friday March 19, 2014 March 18, 2014 March 16, 2014 Skip Ad × Crimeans vote on Russia referendum View Photos Crimeans turned out in large numbers for a vote that may determine whether they join Russia or remain with Ukraine. Caption After an ultimatum to abandon the base and an hours-long standoff, Russian troops in at least four armored vehicles seized control of one of the last Ukrainian military outposts in Crimea. March 22, 2014 Armed men, believed to be Russian servicemen, take cover behind an armored vehicle as they attempt to take over a military base in the Crimean town of Belbek, near Sevastopol. Shamil Zhumatov/Reuters Buy Photo Wait 1 second to continue. 
 
 Obama administration promises last week to exact a cost if the vote were held — even before new Russian military exercises on Ukraine’s eastern and southern borders and Saturday’s seizure of a Ukrainian gas plant just beyond Crimea’s northern boundary — would seem to make the imposition of at least some sanctions this week a foregone conclusion. 
 
 The question for the West is whether harsh retribution now will make Putin more or less likely to desist from further action. Although he has so far been impervious to American and European threats, U.S. officials think that the cost the upheaval has already imposed on the Russian economy will become unbearable if Putin does not yield. 
 
 The West could also suffer costs if Russia cuts off energy supplies to Europe and further squeezes the Ukrainian economy. But Western officials say that is a price they are willing to pay and have pledged economic support to Ukraine. 
 
 At the same time, the Obama administration wants to hold more severe punishment in reserve, to unleash in response to annexation or further Russian attempts to destabilize Ukraine. 
 
 “In this century, we are long past the days when the international community will stand quietly by while one country forcibly seizes the territory of another,” the White House statement said. “We call on all members of the international community to continue to condemn such actions, to take concrete steps to impose costs, and to stand together in support of the Ukrainian people and Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.” 
 
 Short of immediate Russian annexation, U.S. officials said, post-referendum Crimea is likely to continue in a sort of limbo status — while both Russia and the West decide what to do about it. 
 
 As he has since the Ukraine crisis began last month, Obama urged Putin to take advantage of “a clear path for resolving this crisis diplomatically” that would allow international monitors to investigate alleged abuses against the ethnic Russians in Crimea whom Moscow says it is protecting. The West, along with numerous reporters in the region, has said the abuses are largely nonexistent. 
 
 1 of 62 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad × Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula votes on secession referendum View Photos Crimea votes on whether the autonomous region should join Russia. Caption Crimea votes on whether the autonomous region should join Russia. March 15, 2014 Svetlana Kalisetskaya, a polling-committee chairwoman, checks a voting cabin after completing preparations for Sunday’s referendum at a polling station in Perevalne, in Ukraine‘s Crimea region. Vadim Ghirda/AP Buy Photo Wait 1 second to continue. 
 
 The Kremlin also reported on the call, saying Putin told Obama that the referendum was “fully consistent with the norms of international law and the U.N. charter” and comparing the Crimea situation to the West’s recognition of a legal framework for the breakup of the former Yugoslavia. 
 
 Ukraine’s interim government, under close guidance from the United States and Europe, has offered constitutional reforms and consultation with Russia on a new arrangement for increased Crimean autonomy. Presidential elections scheduled for May 25 in Ukraine will “provide a legitimate opportunity for all Ukrainians to make their voices heard on the future of their country,” the White House repeated Sunday. 
 
 But Obama, the White House said, “reiterated that a diplomatic resolution cannot be achieved while Russian military forces continue their incursions into Ukrainian territory and that the large-scale Russian military exercises on Ukraine’s borders only exacerbate the tension.” 
 
 There was a small glimmer of optimism early Sunday after a telephone call between Secretary of State John F. Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. The Foreign Ministry said that the two had agreed to continue working toward a solution to the crisis through “an earliest possible launch of constitutional reform” in Ukraine. 
 
 A senior State Department official, speaking on the condition of anonymity about the sensitive diplomacy, said that it was “positive to see Russia focusing on the political processes in the form of constitutional reforms that have been ongoing.” 
 
 But until Russia ends its “provocative” troop movements, pulls its troops in Crimea back to their barracks and stops its partisans from agitating within Ukrainian cities, the official said, political overtures cannot be taken seriously. 
 
 Several senior U.S. lawmakers expressed skepticism about any deal involving Russia. 
 
 Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) said on “Fox News Sunday”: “Putin has started a game of Russian roulette, and I think that the United States and the West have to be very clear in their response, because he will calculate about how far he can go. So that means having very robust sanctions ready to go, starting with the Crimea vote and moving onward.” 
 
 He added: “I think the question will be, what does Russia do in response? And having those sanctions ready — whether it be against the defense minister, the federal security service, the secretary of their security council, possibly the executives of Gazprom and Rosneft, which are their oil and gas companies — send a very clear message.”
– Crimea declared independence from Ukraine today, with officials claiming an overwhelming 96.7% of voters voted to join Russia—but the US and its European allies say the vote in the Ukrainian region was illegal and the results will never be accepted. The White House says President Obama has warned Vladimir Putin that the result "would never be recognized by the United States and the international community" and that "we are prepared to impose additional costs on Russia for its actions," reports the Washington Post. Crimea's leaders formally applied to join Russia today, and while the Russian parliament had been expected to wait until the end of the week to debate the issue, it is now believed that the region can be absorbed under existing Russian laws, reports the BBC. In what analysts believe could be the first step in a long and damaging cycle of economic retaliation, European Union officials plan to slap sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, on scores of top Russian and Crimean officials today, Reuters reports.