Putin defies US and EU sanctions and prepares to annex Crimea

President Putin told Russian Parliament that 'in people's heart of hearts, Crimea has always been part of Russia'

11:33 18 March 2014

Russian President Vladimir Putin is going against western sanctions and has begun to annex Crimea.

The Russian leader took the first legislative step towards absorbing the peninsula, informing parliment formally of Crimea's request to join the country.

Once signed, the bill is due to be approved by the constitutional court and following that be ratified by parliament - all of which is expected to be pushed through this week.

Putin has stated that he condemned the initial transfer of Crimea to Ukraine in 1954 during Soviet times - a behind the scenes decision that he believes was taken unconstitutionally.

Of the Crimea referendum, which was not recognised internationally, Putin said the results of the vote which saw 97% of Crimeans backing a split from Ukraine were "more than convincing".

US President Barack Obama stated: "The international community will continue to stand together to oppose any violations of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity, and continued Russian military intervention in Ukraine will only deepen Russia's diplomatic isolation and exact a greater toll on the Russia economy."