Putin moves towards annexing Crimea

Russian President Vladimir Putin has formally informed parliament of Crimea’s request to join the country, the first legislative step in annexing Crimea.

Despite world leaders warning Putin the Crimean referendum will not be recognised, Putin on Monday signed an order on Monday recognising Crimean independence and approved a draft bill on the accession.

Crimean officials say 97% of voters backed splitting from Ukraine as the European Union and the United States declared the vote illegal and imposed sanctions.

Travel bans and asset freezes have been imposed on government officials and other figures in Russia, Crimea and Ukraine.

Pro-Russian forces have been on the streets of Crimea since late February, though Moscow denies they are under its direct control.

Putin is due to address both houses of the Russian parliament in a special session at 15:00 local time (11:00 GMT). A delegation of Crimea's new leaders is also expected to attend.

Russian news website Gazeta.ru, quoting sources, says that after the speech, President Putin and the speaker of the Crimean parliament, Vladimir Konstantinov, are expected to sign an agreement on Crimea's "entry into the Russian Federation".