Vladimir Putin

Bulgaria’s former Foreign Minister Solomon Passy believes Crimea’s accession into the Russian Federation is part of President Vladimir Putin’s expansionist policy.

The Russian Parliament is expected to pass legislation in the coming days regarding Crimea’s accession into its federation.

On Sunday, over 96% of Crimeans voted in favor of splitting from Ukraine, in a referendum, which was not internationally recognized.

A Russian state TV anchor described Russia as the only country capable of turning the United States into "radioactive ash", Sunday.

96.76 percent of Crimeans vote in favor of joining Russia

CRIMEA -- The leaders of the Crimea have said that 96.6 percent of the population of this Black Sea peninsula voted to secede from Ukraine and join Russia.

Russia will wait for the results of Ukraine’s Presidential elections in May before making further payments from the USD 15 B loan package.

The first USD 3 B of the deal, agreed between ousted President Viktor Yanukovych and Vladimir Putin was transferred to Kiev in December.

CPJ condemns blocking of news websites in Russia

NEW YORK -- The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by the blocking today of independent and pro-opposition news websites in Russia.

Those include Ezhednevny Zhurnal, Grani, Kasparov, and the website of the liberal radio station Ekho Moskvy, said a statement.

About 20 Ukrainians, residing in Bulgaria, staged a peaceful protest against Russia's invasion in Crimea, in the Black Sea city of Varna. 

The protestors were carrying Ukrainians carried the Ukrainian flag, blue and yellow balloons and signs saying “Russia is an aggressor”, reported Bulgaria's public TV channel BNT. 

BRUSSELS - The situation in Crimea cannot be compared to Kosovo, spokesperson of the European Commission Alejandro Munoz said on Friday.

There is no room for comparison between Crimea and Kosovo, he told reporters in comment to Russian President Vladimir Putin's statements about similarities between NATO's intervention in Kosovo and Russia's in Crimea.

Some 547 athletes from 45 countries will compete for 72 gold medals over 10 days in the 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi.

The Games, opened by Russian president Vladimir Putin, will begin amid an escalating political crisis in Ukraine.

US President Obama urged Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in a one-hour phone call Thursday to pursue a diplomatic solution to his military incursion into Crimea.