Russian President Putin said in his speech last night;

"Crimea is not only a strategically vital region, not only a part of our history, traditions and Russian pride, Crimea is first and foremost a people. Sevastopol and the people of Crimea are our pride. For decades they have remained loyal to the motherland, never separated themselves from Russia, and this is exactly what made it possible for Crimea to return to our common family.

The same goes for Donbas and Novorossiya. People living there expressed their desire to return to their families in the days of the 'Russian Spring'. Their path home involved much greater difficulties and tragedies. Nevertheless, we succeeded, and this is also a great event in the history of our state.

Now we are making progress and moving forward together, side by side. Just this morning I received news that the railway from Rostov to Donetsk, Mariupol and Berdyansk is being repaired. We will continue this work and soon trains will go directly to Sevastopol. This will be another alternative route instead of the Crimean Bridge."