U.N. secretary-general says Crimea referendum "will only exacerbate this situation"

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed concern about the situation in Ukraine following Sunday's Crimea referendum.

"... deeply disappointed and concerned that the Crimea referendum will only exacerbate this situation," the secretary-general urged de-escalation through the cessation of violence by all parties and through "inclusive national dialogue."

The UN secretary-general's statement followed a failed UN Security Council draft resolution on Saturday to reaffirm Ukraine's "sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity," and denounce the planned Sunday Crimea referendum as invalid. Russia, a UNSC permanent member, utilized its veto power to block the resolution's passage.

Residents of Crimea voted overwhelmingly on Sunday to secede from Ukraine and join the Russian Federation.

[United Nations]