Crimea always part of Russia: Putin

President Putin has told a special session of Russia's parliament that "in people's heart of hearts, Crimea has always been part of Russia". Mr Putin was speaking at the Kremlin, where he announced new laws for Crimea to join the Russian Federation and asked MPs to back the move. Crimean officials say 97% of voters backed splitting from Ukraine in a controversial referendum on Sunday. The EU and US have declared the vote illegal and imposed sanctions. Crimea was taken over by pro-Russian forces in late February after Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych fled to Russia following months of street protests. Following Sunday's referendum, the region's new leaders declared independence and applied to Moscow to join Russia, according to AFP.