Putin: Crimean Referendum Fully Democratic

The referendum on independence in Crimea was conducted in strict accordance with democratic principles and the international law, President Vladimir Putin told the Federal Assembly, as he was welcomed by a standing ovation. Putin stressed that the results of the referendum, in which more than 82 percent of Crimean residents came to polling stations and more than 96 percent of those voted for rejoining Russia, leave no room for equivocation.

He said the history of Crimea, its cultural, religious and spiritual ties bind it with the peoples of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, which explains the attitude Russians have towards the peninsula.

The president said Crimea had dark pages in its past, particularly the persecution of Crimean Tatars and other minorities in the USSR. The authorities of Crimea seek to recompense for those ills.

President Putin signs treaty of bringing Crimea, Sevastopol into Russia

Crimea and Sevastopol will join Russia as two separate regions, President Putin says, the treaty is signed.

Putin asks Federal Assembly to ratify agreement on accession of Crimea, Sevastopol to Russia

Russia President Vladimir Putin submitted to Federal Assembly, asking to approve bill on accession to Russia of two new regions – Crimea and Sevastopol.

Putin asks Federal Assembly to ratify agreement on accession of Crimea, Sevastopol to Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed that parliament pass a bill that accepts Crimea and Sevastopol as parts of Russia.

“I am submitting and asking the Federal Assembly to consider a constitutional bill on accepting two new constituent regions as part of the Russian Federation – the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol,” Putin said in an address to the Federal Assembly on Tuesday.

Russia doesn’t seek further split of Ukraine, says Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia does not want a division of Ukraine and Crimea will stay Russian, Ukrainian, and Crimean Tatar.

“I want you to hear me, dear friends. Don’t believe those who scare you with Russia, who are shouting that other regions will follow Crimea. We don’t want a division of Ukraine. We don’t need that,” Putin said in the Kremlin on Tuesday.

“As for Crimea, it has always been and it will remain Russian, Ukrainian, and Crimean Tatar,” Putin said in his address to the Federal Assembly.

Putin expects German citizens to support aspiration of Russian world for restoring unity

Germany, whose unification Russia has supported, will also approve the aspiration of the Russian world to restore unity, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his appeal to the Russian Federal Assembly on Tuesday.

“I believe that Europeans, firstly Germans, will understand me,” the president said. During the political consultations on the unification of East Germany and West Germany “at expert, but very high levels, representatives of not all countries, who were Germany’s allies, supported the very idea of unification,” Putin said.

“Our country, on the contrary, supported explicitly and sincerely the aspiration of Germans for national unity,” he said.

“I am certain that you have not forgotten this and I count that German citizens will support the aspiration of the Russian world and historical Russia to restore unity,” Putin said.

Russia is also grateful to China and India for their stance on Ukraine and Crimea, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his appeal to the Russian Federal Assembly on Tuesday.

“We treat with gratitude everyone, who approached our step in Crimea with understanding. We are grateful to the Chinese people, whose leadership has considered and is considering the situation concerning Ukraine and Crimea in its entire historical and political complexity,” Putin said.

“We highly appreciate India’s constraint and objectivity,” the Russian president said.

Relations with brotherly Ukraine to remain of key importance for Russia – Putin

President Vladimir Putin said relations with Ukraine are of key and fundamental importance for Russia.

“Relations with Ukraine and its fraternal people are and will remain of key and fundamental importance for us. It’s no exaggeration,” Putin told the Federal Assembly on Tuesday.

Source: The Voice Of Russia , RT

R.Sawas