MOSCOW, March 21. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia's President Vladimir Putin signed laws on reunification of the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol with the Russian Federation. The solemn ceremony of signing took place in the Ekaterininsky reception hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace.

Putin has put his signature below the bill on ratification of the interstate treaty “On the admission of the Republic of Crimea into the Russian Federation and creation of new sub-federal entities” signed by the parties March 18. From this date, the Republic of Crimea is considered part of the Russian Federation.

In addition, the Russia leader has signed the federal constitutional law on Crimea’s accession to the Russian Federation and the creation of new sub-federal entities — the Republic of Crimea and city of federal importance Sevastopol.

The names of the new entities — the Republic of Crimea and city of federal importance Sevastopol — will be included in the Constitution’s article “On Federative Framework” (Part 1, Article 65 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation).

Speakers of both chambers of the Russian parliament, Valentina Matviyenko and Sergei Naryshkin, as well as their deputies and leaders of State Duma factions were present at the ceremony in the Ekaterininsky reception hall.

“I’m asking the deputies of both chambers of parliament to actively engage in this work and do everything possible so that this process goes through seamlessly and benefit Russia as a whole and the Crimean people,” the Russian leader said.