the international community widely condemned the declaration of independence. a major source of criticism was that the referendum's adoption came after the building of the supreme council of crimea was seized by the russian military prior to adoption. during that time, no journalists were allowed inside the building to witness the council seating on the referendum. the council seating on the referendum was not included the in supreme council's original schedule, which had no meetings originally scheduled for march 11, 2014. deputies were forcefully brought to the building by russian militants, and there is no evidence that there was quorum, which was a requirement for the seating to even occur.