Vladimir Putin to push ahead with annexation of Crimea
Russian president Vladimir Putin has told his parliament of Crimea's application to join Russia, and is set to be moving forward with annexing Crimea into Russia.
Russian president Vladimir Putin has told his parliament of Crimea's application to join Russia, and is set to be moving forward with annexing Crimea into Russia.
The White House has said it is "reviewing" a request from the Ukrainian interim government for military aid, but maintains that the US focus remains on using diplomacy to get Russia to de-escalate the Crimean situation.
Putin's decree recognising Crimea as a 'sovereign country' has triggered the toughest sanctions against Russia since the Cold War.
With over half of the votes counted, over 95% of people in Crimea have voted to become part of Russia, election officials have said.
At some point the West's warnings will have to become deeds, part of the problem is they don't know which Putin they're dealing with.