MOSCOW, March 18 (KUNA) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and Crimean leaders have signed a treaty to incorporate Crimea into Russia's territory following a referendum in which residents of Ukraine's region overwhelmingly backed the step.
The deal was signed Tuesday by Putin, Crimea's prime minister Sergey Aksyonov and parliament speaker Vladimir Konstantinov.
The agreement has to be endorsed by Russia's Constitutional Court and ratified by both houses of parliament to take effect. Addressing the Russian parliament, Putin accused the West of overstepping the all redlines in the row over Ukraine, terming the Western position as irresponsible.
He defended Russia's move to annex Crimea, saying that the rights of ethnic Russians have been abused by the Ukrainian government.
He blasted the West for warning that they would impose sanctions against Moscow and cause social and economic problems, billing such moves as aggressive and provocative.
Putin vowed that he will never seek to spark a confrontation with the West, but said he would defend Russia's interests.
Putin signed a decree Monday recognizing Crimea as a "sovereign and independent country." The United States and the European Union had announced asset freezes and other sanctions against Russian and Ukrainian officials involved in the Crimean crisis.
Residents of Crimea voted overwhelmingly Sunday in favor of the split, and Crimea's parliament declared the region an independent state on Monday. (end) as.mt KUNA 181616 Mar 14NNNN