DHAKA: Crimea’s regional assembly on Monday declared independence from Ukraine and applied to join Russia.

The assembly said all Ukrainian state property on the peninsula would be nationalised, reports The Straits Times.

‘The republic of Crimea appeals to the United Nations and to all countries of the world to recognise it as an independent state,’ read a document approved by the assembly, a day after the peninsula voted overwhelmingly to become part of Russia.

BDST: 1555 HRS, MAR 17, 2014