Putin: ‘Crimea Has Always Been an Integral Part of Russia’

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Crimean leaders signed a treaty to make Crimea and the city of Sevastapol part of Russia on Tuesday.

This followed Putin’s initial steps to annex Crimea, which he announced during an address to both houses of Russia’s parliament on Tuesday morning. They were his first remarks following Sunday’s referendum, during which about 95% of Crimeans voted to join Russia.

And they signpic.twitter.com/iFMPwntgxp

— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) March 18, 2014

Putin said Crimea always was — and is — an “inseparable” part of Russia. He approved a draft bill for Crimea’s annexation, telling the Federal Assembly the referendum was “democratic and legal.” He added that Crimea must be under Russian sovereignty, comparing the two regions joining to the reunion of West Germany with East Germany. Read more…

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