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Crimea and Sevastopol

For Russia relations with Ukraine will always be priority — Putin

MOSCOW, March 18. /ITAR-TASS/. Relations with Ukraine will always be most important and crucial for Russia, without any exaggeration, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday, addressing parliamentarians and heads of Russian regions.

He said that in 1991 when the USSR disintegration happened, Russia had to put up with that, because it had been hard pressed. It was necessary to take into account the existing realities and build relations with sovereign Ukraine. However, the Ukrainian people have always been a brotherly nation for Russia, the Russian president noted.

Putin's statement on Crimea's application to join Russia. Live

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Referendum in Crimea

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