Putin recognizes Crimea

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed a diploma recognizing the Republic of Crimea as a sovereign and independent State, a day after the Crimean voted to secede from Ukraine.

“Given the will of the people expressed in the referendum Crimea while Crimea March 16, 2014, I hereby decree that the Republic of Crimea, where the city of Sevastopol has a special status, being recognized as a sovereign and independent state,” a presidential decree read.

The Order came into force upon signature.