Ukraine: Putin 'to sign Crimea over to Russia'
President Vladimir Putin has informed Russia's parliament formally of Crimea's request to join the country, the first legislative step towards absorbing the peninsula.
On Monday Mr Putin signed an order recognising Crimea as a sovereign state and the Russian parliament is preparing to meet in special session.
The BBC's Richard Galpin said reports that Mr Putin will later sign an agreement to make the state a part of Russia were unconfirmed.
18 Mar 2014
- From the section Europe