Putin Signs Decree on Abolishing Ministry of Crimea

Russia’s Economic Development Ministry will take charge of the abolished body’s functions, according to a statement.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree on abolishing Russia's Ministry of Crimean Affairs, the Kremlin press service said Wednesday.

"Vladimir Putin signed the decree on the abolition of the Ministry of Crimean Affairs of the Russian Federation and the State Commission on socio-economic development of the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol," the press service said in a statement.

Earlier in the day, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, during a meeting with Putin, said that the ministry had performed its task and could be liquidated.

The Ministry of Crimean Affairs was created in March 31, 2014 to integrate the Crimean Peninsula and the city of Sevastopol into Russia's economic, financial, credit and legal systems.

Crimea reunited with Russia in March 2014. The decision was made following a referendum, in which more than 96 percent of the peninsula's population voted in favor of rejoining Russia.