Putin: Crimea vote figures 'more than convincing'

Russian President Putin has told a special session of Russia's parliament that the referendum vote is "more than convincing".

Mr Putin also said that "in people's heart of hearts, Crimea has always been part of Russia".

He 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.