Moscow, March 18 - Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to recognise Crimea as a sovereign and independent state, the Kremlin press service said Monday.

"Considering the will of the peoples of Crimea expressed at the all-Crimea referendum on March 16, 2014, I hereby decree that the Republic of Crimea, where the city of Sevastopol has a special status, be recognised as a sovereign and independent state," Xinhua quoted the decree as saying.

It entered into force upon signature, the press service said.(IANS)