Sergei Aksyonov, a pro-Russia politician

Sergei Aksyonov, a pro-Russia politician who took over as regional prime minister as unidentified armed men seized control of Crimea's parliament in late
February, said Sunday night the gears were already in motion for Crimea's quick annexation to Russia. Officials in Moscow haven't spelled out a time frame
yet, however.
Mr. Aksyonov said that the Russian ruble would become an official currency in Crimea within days, and that a delegation of regional lawmakers would travel to
Moscow on Monday to start sorting out the details of joining Russia, according to Russian news agency Interfax.
Many Crimeans who disagreed with the referendum appeared to have stayed home. They included thousands of Crimean Tatars, an ethnic minority that accounts for
about 12% of the peninsula's population and remains skeptical of Kremlin rule after facing deportation to Central Asia under Joseph Stalin. The community's
leader has called the referendum unlawful.

 Ukraine's defense minister said a truce with Russia means Ukrainian troops will remain in Crimea through March 21. He added that Russian provocations appear
aimed at repeating the Crimean scenario in other Ukraine territories. Photo: Getty Images.
Many ethnic Russians and Ukrainians who don't want Crimea to leave Ukraine have stayed silent. They cite pressure from friends and relatives as well as the
tense atmosphere on the streets, where militias have been patrolling with Russian flags.

"I didn't go. I boycotted," said Denis Matsola, a 26-year-old left-wing activist from Simferopol, who says he considers himself Russian but would rather
Crimea remain part of Ukraine.