(VOVworld) – Crimea’s referendum on merging with Russia fully conforms to democratic principles, said Russian President Vladimir Putin in his special speech at the Kremlin on Tuesday. From now on, Crimea will have 3 official languages: Russian, Ukrainian, and Tatar.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (2nd R), Crimea's Prime Minister Sergei Aksyonov (front L), Crimean parliamentary speaker Vladimir Konstantinov (back L) and Sevastopol Mayor Alexei Chaliy shake hands after a signing ceremony at the Kremlin.(Photo: Reuteurs)

Putin said Crimea is historically part of Russia’s territory and is always in the hearts of Russian people. Crimea’s merging with Ukraine was a personal mistake. The coup in Kiev and legislative decisions of Ukraine’s caretaker government have harmed Ukrainians’ interests and discriminated against Russian-speaking communities in Crimea.
Putin cited international law to defend the legality of Crimea’s declaration of independence. He mentioned the precedence of Serbia’s Kosovo and Ukraine’s declaration of independence from the Soviet Union 20 years ago.
Following an announcement by G8 leaders of suspending Russia’s membership, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said the UK has stopped all its military co-operation with Russia. He said a technical co-operation agreement and a joint naval exercise involving Russia, the UK, France, and the US have been postponed.
US President Barack Obama urged G7 to hold a summit next week to discuss sanctions against Russia. German Chancellor Angela Merkel insisted that Crimea’s merging with Russia and Crimea’s declaration of independence have violated international law. Meanwhile, French President Francois Hollande called on the EU to respond “strongly and unanimously” to Russia’s merging with Crimea and said France does not recognise this move.
In response to the criticism, Putin said the West’s schemes to impose sanctions against Russia will be regarded as provocative and will draw retaliation. He said Russia never intends to confront the West but must protect its interests, adding that the West has exceeded its authority.