Russian Duma Approves Crimea Annexation

Russia's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, has overwhelmingly voted to ratify a treaty to annex Crimea from Ukraine.

The lawmakers voted on the measure Thursday, and the parliament's upper house, the Federation Council, will hold a similar vote on Friday.

On Tuesday, President Vladimir Putin and Crimean leaders signed the treaty making Crimea part of Russia after Mr. Putin declared in a speech that the peninsula had always been an "inalienable" part of Russia.

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U.S. suggests Baltics war games in response to Russian "land grab"

WARSAW, March 18 (Reuters) - The United States is considering sending troops for war games in the Baltic states bordering Russia, Vice President Joe Biden said on Tuesday in an effort to reassure NATO allies alarmed at the Kremlin's intervention in Ukraine.

Moscow's despatch of troops to Ukraine's Crimea Peninsula and its unilateral declaration that the area is now part of Russia have left NATO member states in eastern Europe worried that they could be next in line.

In the Polish capital on the first leg of a two-day trip to the region, Biden condemned Russia's actions in Crimea as a land grab, and he said NATO's commitment to protect any of its members from attack was unwavering.

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Crimea Secession Vote: How, Why and What Next?

The Ukrainian region of Crimea votes Sunday in a hastily organized referendum to break away and join Russia, in defiance of broad condemnation from the international community, which has described the process as illegitimate.

Moscow-backed politicians in Crimea, a territory of 2 million people, say the move will ensure the local population protection from radical nationalism that they say surged after President Viktor Yanukovych was forced to flee Ukraine. No immediate proof of specific threats has been produced, however, and the leadership in Kiev describes what is happening in Crimea as a crude land grab.

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Britain To Pay £1 BILLION In Aid To Ukraine As Russian Flag Torn Down In Flashpoint Eastern City And Putin's Navy Blockades Port

* Pro-Russian protesters removed from Ukrainian government building following reports they had rigged bombs

* Russian flag removed from the roof of the building in the eastern city of Donetsk and Ukrainian flag reinstated

* Vladimir Putin's navy blocks access to Sevastapol port in fresh show of strength outside its Black Sea base

* Now new Ukraine PM says Crimea may be granted new local powers in exchange for remaining part of the country

* Developments come as EU announces £11billion aid package for Ukraine - including £1billion from Britain

* Meanwhile EU warns Moscow that billions belonging to Putin and his oligarch allies could be seized tomorrow

* Russia responded by threatening EU and U.S. with economic, trade and visa restrictions if sanctions are issued

* Russian Foreign Minister says people in Crimea do not recognise the new 'unconstitutional' Ukrainian government

Ukraine's new government is to be offered a multi-billion aid package by the European Union, with an estimated £1 billion coming from Britain.

The cash, made up of grants and loans totalling €11 billion (£9 billion), was approved by European ministers today at a meeting which also set out sanctions which could be brought against Russia if it steps up its military involvement in Ukraine - including seizing President Vladimir Putin's own assets and those of his oligarch allies.

In Ukraine itself tensions a new flashpoint emerged in Donetsk, in the east of the country, where riot police stormed the city hall and removed pro-Russian protesters, then raised the Ukrainian flag, while in the Black Sea at Sevastapol, the Russian navy blockaded the port in a show of strength.

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