Ukraine: Russian President Vladimir Putin signed papers today formalizing the annexation of Crimea while Ukraine signed a deal for closer economic ties with Europe.   Putin made jokes about Western sanctions. He said he was considering opening an account at the …

Ukraine: Russian-occupied Crimea declared itself independent today after an overwhelming vote to separate from Ukraine. The vote was 97 percent in favor of secession sparking a surge of Russian flag-waving nationalism both within Crimea and Russia itself. The Crimean parliament …