12:14
18.3.2014
President Vladimir Putin is addressing a special joint session of the Russian parliament on the Crimea issue.
So far, he's said that the Crimea referendum was democratic and in full accordance with international legal norms.
The outcome of the referendum is "more than convincing," he added.
Putin also says Russia respects all ethnic groups in Crimea. He says there will be three equal languages in Crimea -- Russian, Crimean Tatar, and Ukrainian.
More to follow...
So far, he's said that the Crimea referendum was democratic and in full accordance with international legal norms.
The outcome of the referendum is "more than convincing," he added.
Putin also says Russia respects all ethnic groups in Crimea. He says there will be three equal languages in Crimea -- Russian, Crimean Tatar, and Ukrainian.
More to follow...
12:18
18.3.2014
Putin is now saying that Crimea is an "inseparable" part of Russia and its loss was an "outrageous historical injustice."
12:21
18.3.2014
Putin describes Euromaidan protests as "terror, murder, pogroms" staged by "nationalists, neo-Nazis, Russophobes and anti-Semites."
12:22
18.3.2014
Putin: New Ukrainian government is illegitimate. "There is no one to talk with."
12:27
18.3.2014
Putin says Kosovo is "absolutely analogous" to Crimea and quotes the UN court ruling on Kosovo's self-determination.
12:36
18.3.2014
Putin accuses the West, led by the United States, of imposing its will on the world and thinking "they can only be right."
He says Russia is constantly being "driven into a corner" simply for its "independent position." He also praises China and India for their "understanding" of world affairs, for which he gets a round of applause.
He says Russia is constantly being "driven into a corner" simply for its "independent position." He also praises China and India for their "understanding" of world affairs, for which he gets a round of applause.
12:49
18.3.2014
Putin getting a lot off his chest. Listing examples of West working around or without UN Security Council, NATO expansion, missile defense
â Kirit Radia (@KiritRadia) March 18, 2014
12:53
18.3.2014
Burst of applause, chanting, and standing ovation as Putin asks for the annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol.
12:53
18.3.2014
Putin's website has begun posting the text of his speech in Russian: http://t.co/9WETI7639n
â Robert Coalson (@CoalsonR) March 18, 2014
13:07
18.3.2014
They did it live on TV. Putin and Crimean leaders signed a treaty annexing Crimea and the city of Sevastopol as part of the Russian Federation. Lawmakers applauded and chanted "Russia! Russia!"