President Vladimir Putin and two Crimean leaders signed a treaty on the annexation of Crimea to Russia in the Kremlin's lavish Georgian Hall earlier today. Read up on the key moments of Putin's speech and on reactions on the web in this transcript from our liveblog.
- 3:59 p.m. - Putin signs a treaty making Crimea a part of Russia.
- 3:50 p.m. - Live television coverage of the speech is interrupted by a moderator who announces that a signing ceremony is about to begin.
- 3:49 p.m. - The crowd breaks out into sustained applause when Putin announces that Russia will be adding Crimea as its 84th federal subject.
- 3:47 p.m. - "The referendum in Crimea was conducted openly and honestly," Putin says.
Putin says 95 percent of Russians agree that Russia must protect the interests of Russians in Ukraine. Also, a majority of Crimeans and Russians support Crimea becoming a part of Russia, Putin says. 
Watching #Putin speech on intent to annex #Crimea in Circus Cafe #Simferopol. Crowd in Lenin Sq chanting "Russia!" pic.twitter.com/QNXpAvrJ6y- 3:45 p.m. - Putin thanks the people of Crimea for their courage and for their willingness to determine their fate and then offers more harsh words for the West. But he says Russia will do everything to have constructive relations with its partners.
- 3:40 p.m. - "Kiev is the mother city of Russia," Putin says. He promises that Russia will always protect the interests of Russians in Ukraine.
Russia traces its roots to Kiev, widely believed to have been founded in the late 9th century. - 3:39 p.m. - The Kremlin audience of lawmakers and other government officials is repeatedly interrupting Putin's speech with loud applause. The officials are smiling broadly.
- 3:38 p.m. - "We need to stop the hysteria," Putin says.
Putin thanks China for looking at the Crimean crisis with a historical perspective and then indirectly takes aim at the U.S. again. Evoking the U.S. value of freedom, he says, "Isn't this the same freedom for the people of Crimea?"
In reference to the reunification of Germany in 1990, Putin adds, "Russia hopes that the people of Germany will understand Russia's quest to live in unity," Putin says.
Putin says Russia does not have any intention of "dividing" Ukraine. - 3:36 p.m. - Some online viewers are having fun spotting faces in the crowd of listeners:
- 3:34 p.m. - Journalists around the world are following Putin's speech, preparing to analyse it for their audience.
Russian president Vladimir Putin addressing parliament right now - monitoring remarks during our live shots this AM. pic.twitter.com/Ww5fKtkbgW- 3:31 p.m. - Putin says there is no respect for local culture and history. "The Arab Spring turned into the Arab Winter," Putin says.
The Arab Spring refers to a wave of demonstrations and protests in northern Africa and the Middle East that started in late 2010 and led to the toppling of several governments. 
#Putin says Crimea is sacred to Russia. He's speaking before parliament right now. #upwith7NEWS pic.twitter.com/cEz7rBS3La- 3:28 p.m. - Putin slams the U.S. He says the U.S. does not abide by international law, citing Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya as American violations.
- 3:27 p.m. - "It is difficult to fight against popular will," Putin says.
- 3:26 p.m. - Putin highlights what he calls Western double standards. "What is allowed in Kosovo is not being allowed to the Russians and Tatars of Crimea," he says.
- 3:23 p.m. - Putin is now turning his attention to complaints that Russian troops have invaded Crimea. He says Russian forces have not violated Ukrainian territorial integrity. Then he compares Crimea to Kosovo, which broke away from Serbia and declared independence in 2008.
As seen on
themoscowtimes.com
