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Putin visits Crimea as Russian parades mark Victory Day
Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited the Crimean city of Sevastopol. Elsewhere Russia has celebrated Victory Day with military parades.
Live updates
US: Putin trip to Crimea 'provocative' and 'unnecessary'
The Obama administration has attacked Vladimir Putin over his visit to Crimea today, calling the move "provocative and unnecessary".
The Russian President visited the peninsula, annexed from Ukraine in March, to mark the anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany.
US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki issued a strong condemnation of the visit, saying:
"This trip is provocative and unnecessary. Crimea belongs to Ukraine and we don't recognize, of course, the illegal and illegitimate steps by Russia in that regard,"
EU 'agrees to add more people' to Russia sanctions list
European Ambassadors have agreed in principle to add approximately 15 people and five Crimean-based companies to the Russia sanctions list, diplomats told Reuters.
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Putin hails Crimea joining Russia on Victory Day visit
President Vladimir Putin has hailed the Crimea region joining Russia as he visited the area for the first time since it was annexed from Ukraine in March.
Putin delivered a speech in the city of Sevastopol and watched a parade of Russian navy ships and a flyby of Russian aircraft which marked Victory Day - the World War Two defeat of Nazi Germany.
Ukraine has condemned Putin's visit as trampling on international law and deliberately escalating the crisis.
Vladimir Putin attends military parade in Crimea
Russian President Vladimir Putin has attended a Victory Day parade in Sevastopol, Crimea, marking his first visit to the area since it was annexed in March.
His visit to the region is likely to outrage the West and has already been denounced by the Ukrainian government, with the foreign ministry calling it a "deliberate escalation" of the crisis.
Putin flew to Crimea after attending a military parade in Moscow, which was making the anniversary of the World War Two victory over Nazi Germany.
Putin's Crimea visit 'deliberate escalation' in crisis
Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Crimea is a "deliberate escalation" of the crisis, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said.
Vladimir Putin lands in Crimean city of Sevastopol
Russian President Vladimir Putin has landed in the Crimean city of Sevastopol, the Kremlin press office said.
His arrival comes on the day of Victory Day parades across the region, which celebrates the Soviet victory in World War Two.
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No Ukraine flags in sight at Donetsk Victory Day parade
A Victory Day parade celebrating the Soviet victory in World War Two is being held in Donetsk, Ukraine, but Ukrainian flags are nowhere to be seen.
ITV News Europe Editor James Mates has tweeted from Donetsk, Ukraine:
Vladimir Putin attends Victory Day parade in Moscow
A huge Victory Day parade has been held in Moscow with President Vladimir Putin praising the "iron will of the Soviet people," which saved Europe from slavery.
The military ceremony is held to mark the Soviet victory in World War Two and comes as tensions continue to rise in Ukraine with Russian nationalism high after the annexation of Crimea.
Putin may fly to the city of Sevastopol in Crimea today to take part in the planned Victory Day parade, according to Russian media.
