Ukraine crisis: Putin defends Russian actions in Crimea
following US and EU sanctions – live updates
Barack Obama delivers his statement on Ukraine. Photograph: REX
1.50pm GMT
Russia has been the most prominent international supporter of Bashar al-Assad, and the Syrian president has returned the favour.
Assad has written a letter to Vladimir Putin calling the military takeover of Crimea a "wise policy” and wishing him the best in his efforts to restore
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Ukraine crisis: Russia pledges to 'retaliate against sanctions' as Ukrainian president says Crimea vote will not be recognised
Russia has pledged to retaliate against any
sanctions imposed on it by the EU and US, further raising tensions in
what has quickly become worst diplomatic crisis between Russia and the
west since the end of the Cold War.
Russia on Friday accused the European Union of taking an "extremely
unconstructive position” by freezing talks on easing visa barriers and
suspending trade in response to the country's intervention in Ukraine.
