Romania will support any sanctions proposed by the European Union against Russia following the controversial referendum in Crimea, President Traian Basescu said on Monday.

Basescu is to join a meeting of EU heads of state and government on March 21 in Brussels, where European leaders are to piece together a response to the unfolding crisis in Ukraine.

The EU announced sanctions against 21 Russian officials after a meeting of foreign ministers on Monday, but their names will not be made public until the measures go into effect. Lithuania’s Foreign Minister, Linas Linkevicius, said that further measures were expected to be taken in the next few days.

Romania is one of several Eastern European countries that are extremely worried that conflicts in the neighborhood could spread and affect regional stability.

Bucharest is concerned that, after taking over the strategic peninsula of Crimea from Ukraine, Russia may be tempted to try a land grab in Moldova, where Russian troops are stationed in the breakaway province of Transdniester.

“There is first of all fear of possible contagion in the region. Romania is extremely preoccupied.” Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean said in a recent interview.

In line with the EU and United States, Romania has declared the recent referendum in Crimea illegal and invalid.

“Romania considers the referendum in Crimea illegal and it will not acknowledge the results, given that the Ukrainian Constitutional Court has determined the proceedings to be illegal,” Basescu said on Sunday.

“At the same time, a referendum organised under the threat of military occupation cannot live up to democratic standards and will not be legitimated by the international community,” the President added.

Following Sunday’s referendum in Crimea, local officials say 97 per cent of those who voted backed breaking away from Ukraine and joining Russia.

Trouble started in Crimea after the recent change of government in Kiev, which Russia has called a putsch supported by Fascist elements.

Romania, which has a 694km-long border with Ukraine, has recognized the new authorities in Kiev, however.

At the same time, Romania has asked Ukraine to respect the rights of national minorities, including the Romanian minority.