On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin made his annexation of Crimea official, signing bills into law that make the (former) Ukrainian peninsula formally part of Russia. Putin called the rapid territorial expansion a “remarkable event,” and what better way to mark than occasion than a massive victory party?
The AP reports that while Putin was flexing his bill-singing muscles, “He also ordered fireworks in Moscow and Crimea,” while IBT adds that the night’s celebration will include “ten sites in the capital, including Victory Park, the Russian Exhibition Centre and the Nagatinsky backwater area at 10 p.m. local time.”
Ukraine’s acting president said the country “will never accept the seizure of its territory. We are ready for talks with Russia in any kind of format, but their troops must leave Ukraine,” but no one could hear him over the fireworks.
