US fast food chain McDonald’s is temporarily shutting down its operations in Crimea after the region was annexed by Russia.
The foreign ministers from Nato’s 28 signatories have agreed to suspend all “practical civilian and military co-operation” with Russia over its ongoing actions in Crimea.
Now that Ukraine has lost Crimea, which seems certain to be reunited with the Russian Federation, the future of the remainder of the country depends on what happens in the urban, industrial and populous eastern regions such as the Donbas.
Ukraine is preparing to “quickly and efficiently” withdraw its troops and their families from Crimea, according to Kiev’s security chief.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree recognising Crimea as a “sovereign and independent state”, according to Russian officials.