Putin signs bill formally annexing Crimea to Russia

ISTANBUL – President Vladimir Putin signed legislation on Friday that completed the process of absorbing Crimea into Russia, defying Western leaders who say the Black Sea peninsula remains part of Ukraine.

In a Kremlin ceremony shown live on state television, Putin signed a law on ratification of a treaty making Crimea part of Russia, as well as legislation creating two new Russian administrative districts: Crimea and the port city of Sevastopol.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk on Friday signed parts of a highly symbolic deal on closer political ties with the European Union in Brussels.

EU President Herman Van Rompuy said the signature of the political chapters of the association deal "shows our steadfast support for the course the people of Ukraine have courageously pursued," as well as symbolizing a "joint will" to take the relationship further.

The agreement aims to encourage Ukraine to undertake political and economic reforms, while also supporting parliamentary elections scheduled for May 25.

Meanwhile, European leaders are likely to extend sanctions against 12 unnamed Russians. Similarly, the U.S. has added 21 individuals to the sanction blacklist.

To avoid an escalation in current crisis, the EU is extending financial sanctions against Russia. The priority agenda of the EU summit held between March 20 and March 21 was the annexation of Crimea. The EU leaders agreed to extend the sanctions against 12 unnamed Russian officers. During the summit, the leaders made an association deal on closer relations with Ukraine.

Following the referendum in Crimea, the U.S. and the EU imposed sanctions against Russia. While the U.S. imposed visa restrictions against 13 Russian and eight Ukrainians, the EU decided to freeze the bank accounts of unnamed Russian officers.

The bank accounts of seven Russian government officers have already been frozen. On Thursday, the European government and state presidents arrived in Brussels for an emergency talk on the expected financial sanctions.

U.K Prime Minister David Cameron, French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel harshly criticized Russia in the EU summit.

Cameron emphasized that more sanctions are necessary against Russia. Merkel similarly noted the EU's blacklist is likely to expand. Hollande announced the cancellation of the EU-Russia Summit in next June.

"There was to have been a meeting between the EU and Russia but it cannot take place in these conditions," added Hollande.
Saying that events in Ukraine and Crimea were "unacceptable," the French leader said, "Sanctions will be decided against a certain number of figures regarding their personal situation or their financial assets."

Hollande underlined the importance of planning other sanctions in the event of an escalation, adding, "Even if not decided today, economic sanctions must be discussed, prepared."

On the same day, U.S. President Barack Obama declared new sanctions against Russia. Giving an official statement in the White House, Obama said more Russian officers and another bank have been added to the blacklist. He stated that the upcoming sanctions will not merely focus on the identified names, but also some sectors of Russian economy.

Europe's concern on security issues increased after Crimea's annexation to Russia. U.N Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon pointed that Russia's occupation could be a part of a large-scale Russian strategy.

Underlining that the present crisis is not just about Ukraine, NATO General Secretary Anders Fogh Rasmussen said in a speech, "This is the gravest threat to European security and stability since the end of the Cold War. The alliance is concerned Russia might push beyond Crimea into eastern Ukraine. This will have serious outcomes."

To occupy Crimea, Russia previously presented the issues on Russian minorities living in Crimea as an excuse. A statement of a Russian delegate on Estonia's Russian minorities has turned the heads toward the former Soviet countries in the Eastern Europe. The veiled threat increased security concerns in Europe.

Kazakhstan is the first country which has recently recognized Crimea's annexation to Russia. The government of Kazakhstan indicated that they can act as a mediator between Russia and the EU and the U.S.

Meeting with the government officers, Putin has ordered the relevant ministries to bring the pensions paid in Crimea to the average Russian level.

"All citizens of Russia must be placed in the same conditions," said Putin. "How you do it is your business. Think it over with State Duma deputies and do it. There must be no delays. Do it as soon as possible."

Additionally, Putin asked to build a bridge worth $2 billion (TL 4.47 billion) over the Kerch Channel connecting Crimea to Russia. A railway network will also be established on the bridge.

Following the adoption by Crimea's parliament, the Autonomous Ukrainian Republic of Crimea has recently been changed into the Republic of Crimea in Cyrillic alphabet.

The Crimean Parliament decided to change its name after the referendum held in March 16 and the name boards of the parliament were removed.

At the beginning of this week, Putin and Crimean parliament officers signed a decree to annex Crimea and Sevastopol to Russia and form new federal regions.

Crimea has undergone a historical period. Some Crimean Russians, Tatars, Ukrainians and Jews feel that they will re-experience the black days, even though some other groups support Crimea's annexation in terms of financial aspects.

Crimean Tatar and Ukrainians are reportedly in favor of remaining a part of Ukraine. However, Russians comprise 1.2 million of the 2 million in the Crimean Peninsula. Hence, the referendum went toward the Russians' side.

Konstantin Romanovsky, the Head of Russian Federal Migration Service (FMS), stated that Russian passports have recently been given in Crimea.