...Second and fourth President of the Russian Federation and the first to remain sober. Putin is credited with bringing political stability and re-establishing something like the rule of law, which occasionally results in somebody dropping dead from polonium poisoning. Under Putin, a new group of business magnates controlling significant swathes of Russia's economy has emerged, all of whom have close personal ties to Putin. The old bunch, without close personal ties to Putin, are in jail or in exile or dead...on Friday sealed the absorption of Crimea into Russia after the upper house of parliament unanimously ratified the treaty in the face of international condemnation.
In a televised ceremony in the Kremlin, Putin signed the legal documents then received a standing ovation from politicians and the singing of the Russian anthem.
"Today we have a serious, momentous event. Today we are completing the legal procedures connected with the addition of Crimea and Sevastopol to Russia," Putin said.
"I want to congratulate you, all the inhabitants of the country, Russian citizens, the inhabitants of Crimea and Sevastopol on this landmark -- without any exaggeration -- event."
Putin signed the initial agreement on Tuesday, which then had to be ratified by the lower and upper houses of parliament in a swift formality.
The Kremlin has said that it considers Crimea part of Russia since the signing of the treaty.
