Accession treaty Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation

signing of treaty of accession in moscow, 18 march 2014

the treaty on accession of republic of crimea russia signed between representatives of republic of crimea (including sevastopol, rest of crimea briefly unified) , russian federation on 18 march 2014 lay out terms immediate admission of republic of crimea , sevastopol federal subjects of russia , part of russian federation. ratified federal assembly 21 march.

during controversial incident in simferopol on 18 march, ukrainian sources said armed gunmen reported russian special forces allegedly stormed base. contested russian authorities, subsequently announced arrest of alleged ukrainian sniper in connection killings, later denied arrest had occurred.

the 2 casualties had joint funeral attended both crimean , ukrainian authorities, , both soldiers mourned together. incident under investigation both crimean authorities , ukrainian military.

on 19 march, president putin submitted treaty on crimea s annexation russia , constitutional amendment set 2 new federal subjects of russian federation state duma. russian constitutional court found treaty in compliance constitution of russia. court sat in emergency session following formal request president vladimir putin assess constitutionality of treaty.

after russian constitutional court upheld constitutionality of treaty, state duma ratified on 20 march. duma approved draft federal constitutional law admitting crimea , sevastopol , establishing them federal subjects. russia s ilya ponomarev state duma member vote against measures. day later, treaty , required amendment article 65 of russian constitution (which lists federal subjects of russia) ratified federation council , signed law putin. crimea s admission russian federation considered retroactive 18 march, when putin , crimean leaders signed draft treaty.