UK suspends military cooperation with Russia after Putin signs Crimea treaty
Foreign secretary William Hague has said Britain has suspended bilateral military cooperation with Russia, including arms exports, in a move responding to Russia’s annexing of Crimea.
President Putin has formally signed a treaty to accept the “Republic of Crimea” into the Russian Federation, saying he does not plan to seize any other regions of Ukraine.
He said to Russia’s parliament earlier today that Crimea has “always been a part of Russia”.
The secession’s been rejected by Kiev, the EU and the US. Joint naval exercises between Russia, France, Britain and the US have been put on hold.
Europe and the US have heavily censured Putin's actions. David Cameron has said “further measures” should be taken against Russia if it refuses to de-escalate the current situation. And Joe Biden, US vice president, has accused Russia of a “blatant violation of international law”.
G7 leaders will meet next week in The Hague to talk through further responses to Russia’s attempt ion absorption.
On the economic front, Russia’s said it’s privatisation programme – which has been long put off – may be postponed again because of the current situation, delaying IPOs, debt issues and conferences, reports Reuters.
Meanwhile, the president of ex-Soviet Moldova has warned Russia against eyeing annexation of his country’s separatist Transdniestria region.