Putin signed a decree recognizing the independence of Crimea

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree recognizing the Republic of Crimea as a sovereign and independent state, in which Sevastopol has a special status, the Kremlin’s press service said late on Monday, March 17. The decree comes into force from the date of its signing.

In a referendum held in Crimea 16 March, 96,77% of voters voted for the reunification of the Crimea with Russia. After summing up the results of the referendum, the Crimean parliament declared independence of the republic, called on the international community to recognize the sovereignty of the state and appealed to Moscow with a proposal to admit the republic to Russia as a new entity. Later it became known that on Tuesday in 15: 00 Moscow time, Putin in the Kremlin would address the Federal Assembly with an extraordinary message in connection with the appeal of the Crimea.

Russia became the first - and so far the only - country to recognize the independence of Crimea. The Crimean referendum is considered illegitimate in Kiev and in the West. On Monday, the United States and the European Union imposed sanctions on Russian officials. In particular, Vladislav Surkov, Sergey Glazyev, Dmitry Rogozin, Valentina Matvienko and others were included in the “black list”.

In turn, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Monday approved a decree by interim president of the country Oleksandr Turchynov on partial mobilization due to the worsening of the situation in Crimea. Partial mobilization is designed primarily for volunteers and military specialists who served in the army.

Source - Forbes.ru