U.S. rejects Crimea vote, cites Russian intimidation

WASHINGTON — The U.S. is rejecting the vote in Crimea even before the results are released.

The White House says Sunday’s referendum on succession is contrary to Ukraine’s constitution.

The U.S. says the world won’t recognize the results of a vote held under what it says are “threats of violence and intimidation from a Russian military intervention that violates international law.”

A written statement from the White House calls Russia’s actions in Ukraine “dangerous and destabilizing.”

The U.S. is urging other nations to “take concrete steps to impose costs” against Russia.

Secession was expected to be approved overwhelmingly.

MATTHEW LEE, ASSOCIATED PRESS