Russian President Vladimir Putin signs treaty to annex Crimea Tuesday March 18,2014

Russian President Vladimir Putin(second right)Crimean Prime Minister Sergei Aksyonov(left)Crimean Parliament Speaker Vladimir Konstantionv(second left)and Alexei Chaly,Sevastopol's new de facto Mayor(right)sign a Treaty on Crimea becoming part of Russia in Kremlin

 

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (2nd R), Crimea's PM Sergei Aksyonov (L), parliamentary speaker Vladimir Konstantinov (2nd L) and Sevastopol Mayor Alexei Chaliy attend a signing ceremony at the Kremlin in Moscow. - See more at: http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/welcome-to-republic-of-crimea-the-world-s-newest-statelet/article1-1196745.aspx#sthash.s5M7aU4M.dpuf

A defiant President Vladimir Putin claimed Crimea as a part of Russia on Tuesday March 18,2014, reversing what he described as a historic mistake made by the Soviet Union 60 years ago and brushing aside international condemnation that could leave Russia isolated for years to come.


Russian President Vladimir Putin en route to address the Federal Assembly at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 18, 2014

Speaking before parliament in a televised address to the nation, Putin said the rights of ethnic Russians had been abused by the new Ukrainian government. He insisted that Crimea's vote Sunday to join Russia was in line with international law and reflected its right for self-determination.

At the same time, the Russian leader said his nation didn't want to move into other regions of Ukraine, saying "we don't want division of Ukraine."

Putin's speech came just hours after he approved a draft bill for the annexation of Crimea, a key move in a flurry of steps to formally take over Crimea



Within minutes of delivering a passionate speech to Russia's political elite, Putin cemented his pledge by signing a draft treaty with Crimean leaders to make the strategic Black Sea peninsula part of Russia

The treaty signed on Tuesday March 18,2014 still needs parliamentary approval, that is regarded as a formality.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (2nd R), Crimea's PM Sergei Aksyonov (L), parliamentary speaker Vladimir Konstantinov (2nd L) and Sevastopol Mayor Alexei Chaliy attend a signing ceremony at the Kremlin in Moscow. - See more at: http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/welcome-to-republic-of-crimea-the-world-s-newest-statelet/article1-1196745.aspx#sthash.s5M7aU4M.dpuf

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (2nd R), Crimea's PM Sergei Aksyonov (L), parliamentary speaker Vladimir Konstantinov (2nd L) and Sevastopol Mayor Alexei Chaliy attend a signing ceremony at the Kremlin in Moscow. ( - See more at: http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/welcome-to-republic-of-crimea-the-world-s-newest-statelet/article1-1196745.aspx#sthash.s5M7aU4M.dpuf