Russian president Vladimir Putin has defended Russia’s actions in Crimea, describing the military intervention as a “legitimate” action, as tensions remains high in Ukraine.
Foreign ministers from Russia, US, and key European states are holding talks in an attempt to diffuse the tension in Ukraine and bring an end to the military intervention in Crimea.
The situation remains tense in Crimea, although the 3am deadline, by which Russia had reportedly told Ukrainian forces to leave Crimea by or face a military attack, has passed without incident.
Former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych holds a news conference in Russia amid rising tension in his home country, most notably in Crimea.
Uniformed and well-equipped armed men have occupied Sevastopol airport in the autonomous region of Crimea, with the Ukrainian government believing them to be a Russia-backed force.