Russia's prime minister and a delegation of cabinet ministers have made a surprise visit to Crimea.
Dmitry Medvedev has promised to quickly pour funds into the peninsula and to create a special economic zone in Crimea, with tax breaks to attract investors.
"After joining Russia, people in Crimea, people of Sevastopol, mustn't lose anything. They must only make gains. This is exactly what people expect from us - to create conditions for calm and respectable life, confidence in tomorrow, the feeling of being part of an honourable, strong country."
The prime minister also pledges that Russia will seek to develop Crimea as a top tourist destination.
In response, Ukraine condemned the visit, saying the trip to Crimea by officials from Moscow is a crude violation of international rules.
Meanwhile, it is reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a partial withdrawl of troops from the border with Ukriane.
The move comes after a meeting between U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.
Kerry said progress on resolving the Ukraine crisis depends on a troop pullback from the border.
NATO foreign ministers are expected to meet in Brussels later today to discuss further steps over additional ways to help Ukraine.
