Crimea has voted to secede from Ukraine, but few are prepared to let it follow through with its decision.

Lawmakers in the primarily Russian ethnic region of Ukraine voted to leave the country and join with Russia. The decision will be put to a regional vote on March 16, with the result determining whether or not Crimea will indeed secede or remain an autonomous region within Ukraine.

Ukrainian interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk condemned the referendum, calling it "an illegtimate decision" and saying "Crimea was, is and will be an integral part of Ukraine."

"I want to warn separatists and other traitors of the Ukrainian state who are trying to work against Ukraine," said Yatsenyuk. "Any of your decisions taken is unlawful, unconstitutional, and nobody in the civilized world is going to recognize the results of the so-called referendum of the so-called Crimean authorities."

The United States and European Union also strongly criticized the decision, saying it violated both international and Ukrainian law.

"Any discussion about the future of Ukraine must include the legitimate government of Ukraine," said U.S. President Barack Obama. "In 2014, we are well beyond the days when borders can be redrawn over the heads of democratic leaders."

Russia, on the other hand, was very supportive of Crimea's decision. Valentina Matvienko, speaker of Russia's upper house of parliament, said Russia would "support and welcome" Crimea to join with the country.

Moscow has denounced the Ukrainian opposition groups that overtook parliament following former President Yanukovych's departure from the state capital, Kiev. Putin threatened to use military force to protect the Russians in Crimea, and already there are many reports of armed men taking control in the region.

The U.S. and E.U. has threatened to place sanctions on Russia, such as asset freezes and travel bans. However, Russia is not swayed by the possibility.

"We have no rights to leave our people when there's a threat to them," said Matvienko. "None of the sanctions will be able to change our attitude."