23 Feb 2015 20:59

Crimeans' choice should be respected - Putin

MOSCOW. Feb 23 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has urged to respect the choice of the Crimean people who voted for reunification with Russia at a referendum on March 16, 2014.

"As regards the state affiliation, the people living in Crimea made their choice, it should be respected, and Russia could not have done otherwise," Putin said in an interview with the journalist Vladimir Solovyov on the Russia One television on Monday.