Ukraine

Armed Russian forces arresting Ukrainian army officers during an operation in Simferopol on Tuesday.

Greece’s prime minister and foreign minister walked a careful line on Tuesday between backing the European Union’s position on Crimea but also insisting that attempts should continue at reaching a diplomatic compromise with Russia over the Ukrainian region.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed the treaty which incorporates Crimea into the Russian Federation.

Putin signs Crimea's admission to RF, mentions Kosovo

MOSCOW -- Russia and Crimea have signed a treaty of accession of the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol to the Russian Federation, Voice of Russia has reported.

Crimea and Sevastopol are joining Russia as two separate regions, President Vladimir Putin said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has addressed the Parliament on the issue of Sunday's referendum in Crimea.

Over 96% of voters chose for the autonomous Ukrainian region to join the Russian Federation, a move which is not internationally recognized.

Ukraine "has no plans to join NATO" - Yatsenyuk

KIEV -- Ukraine's new Western-backed prime minister said on Tuesday in a televised address that his country had no plans to join NATO.

Arseniy Yatsenyuk said that “for the sole purpose of preserving the unity of Ukraine, the issue of accession to NATO is not on the agenda," AFP reported.

The number of Ukrainian tourists in Bulgaria has doubled in the last four years, according to the Economy Ministry.

Romania will support any sanctions proposed by the European Union against Russia following the controversial referendum in Crimea, President Traian Basescu said on Monday.

Basescu is to join a meeting of EU heads of state and government on March 21 in Brussels, where European leaders are to piece together a response to the unfolding crisis in Ukraine.

Putin informs parliament about Crimea's application

MOSCOW -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially informed the country's parliament and government on the request of Crimea to join Russia.

This is the first step in the process of adopting legislation that would allow Crimea to join Russia as a full member of the Federation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a formal legislative step toward annexing Crimea.

Putin has informed Russia's Parliament that Ukraine's autonomous region of Crimea, which approved with a 97% majority to secede from the country on a referendum held on Sunday, wishes to be incorporated into the Russian Federation, the BBC reports.

Ex-Ukraine minister says Crimea nears 'point of no return'

NATO and the European Union say that the vote in Crimea will not be recognised.

A man is searched as armed militiamen secure the area near the Crimean parliament building in central Simferopol on Monday (March 17th). [AFP]