VOA常速英语2014--US, EU Action Expected After Crimea Referendum 美国欧盟将在克里米亚公投后采取行动（在线收听）

US, EU Action Expected After Crimea Referendum 美国欧盟将在克里米亚公投后采取行动

Voters in Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula have cast ballots in a referendum widely expected to endorse joining Russia. The United States and the European Union strongly objected to the vote, and could announce punitive steps against Russia and additional support for Ukraine.

Voter turnout was high and dominated by pro-Russian Crimeans, including retired Soviet sailor Vladimir Lozovoy.

投票率很高，主要是亲俄罗斯的克里米亚人，包括退休的前苏联水手弗拉基米尔。

“I want to cry. Finally I have returned to my motherland. It is an incredible feeling. I have been waiting for this for 23 years,” said Lozovoy.

“我想哭，终于回到自己的祖国了，很不可思议的感觉，我已经等了23年了。”

In the Ukrainian capital, some prayed for peace while bracing for open conflict with Russia.

在乌克兰首都，有的人为和平祈祷，同时为与俄罗斯进行公开冲突做准备。

“It is difficult to predict what will happen, but [Russian President Vladimir] Putin will not stop in Crimea, he will want all of Ukraine,” said one churchgoer in Kyiv.

“很难预料下一步会怎样，但普京不会在克里米亚就此罢休的，他想要整个乌克兰。”

U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat, just returned from a trip to Kyiv.

美国民主党参议员克里斯·墨菲刚从基辅回来。

“Ukrainians are not going to go down (surrender) without a fight. If Russia really does decide to move beyond Crimea, it is going to be bloody and the fight may be long. And [Ukrainians] need help from the United States,” said Murphy.

“乌克兰人不会不战就投降的，如果俄罗斯真的决定得寸进尺，那么将会发生血腥场面，战争将会持续很久。乌克兰人需要美国的帮助。”

The White House has promised a swift response to the referendum and any additional Russian advances into Ukraine.

白宫承诺就公投和俄罗斯进一步冒犯乌克兰的行为当即作出应对。

“There most definitely will be additional costs if Russia escalates this conflict rather than de-escalates. And they will be imposed by the United States, but also by our European partners,” said spokesman Jay Carney.

发言人卡尼，“如果俄罗斯将冲突升级而不是化解冲突，那么毫无疑问要承担更多的代价的，美国和欧洲伙伴国都将追究俄罗斯的责任。”

Senator Murphy concedes the United States and the European Union have limited options.

参议员墨菲承认美国和欧盟的选择余地很小。

“I do not think there is anything we can do militarily. Clearly, this is a longer term effort to build up the Ukrainian military. But if Monday we announce, with the EU, a set of crippling sanctions against individuals and Russian business entities, that sends a strong message to Putin,” said Murphy.

“我认为我们不能采取什么军事手段，需要进行长期的努力来建设乌克兰军队。但是如果周一我们和欧盟一起宣布针对个人和俄罗斯企业的制裁措施，那么就会向普京传递一个强有力的信号。”

The U.S. Senate is expected to vote on a package of assistance for Ukraine and punitive steps against Moscow when lawmakers return from a recess next week. The House of Representatives approved a similar package earlier this month.

下周议员们休息归来时美国参议院有望就向乌克兰提供一揽子援助并对莫斯科采取惩罚措施进行表决，众议院于本月早些时候通过了类似的一揽子措施。