Moscow

Southern parts of Serbia could request to join Kosovo if Crimea is incorporated into Russia.

"If authorities in Moscow demand that Crimea join Russia, Tirana [Albania's capital] and Pristina [Kosovo's capital] should demand the same for Presevo valley," Jonuz Musliu, head of Bujanovac Municipality, was quoted as saying by Serbian radio B92 and CROSS news agency.

Crimean forces occupy naval base in Sevastopol

SEVASTOPOL -- Crimean units for self-defense have occupied a Ukrainian naval base in Sevastopol on the Black Sea, reported the AP.

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.

MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that the Crimean leadership declared independence based on the “well-known Kosovo precedent”, which was created by the western countries themselves.

Romanian officials on Tuesday expressed support for the government of neighbouring Moldova and urged Russia not to encourage separatists in Moldova's Transdniester region in their quest to join Russia.

“Romania together with its EU and NATO partners should show their commitment to supporting Moldova’s independence and territorial integrity,” Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta said.

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

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.

Japan imposed on Tuesday a set of sanctions against Russia after Moscow recognized Crimea as a sovereign state.

Russia reveals proposal to end Ukraine crisis

MOSCOW, WASHINGTON, BRUSSELS -- The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Ukraine to organize itself as a federal state and call new elections.

From Euractiv

The Bulgarian foreign minister, Kristian Vigenin, has been instructed by his ruling Socialist party “not to haste with harsh measures” against Russia following the Crimea referendum, as EU ministers gather in Brussels in an attempt to impose sanctions on Moscow.