Russian ruble recognized as official currency in Crimea

The Ukrainian region of Crimea is ready to adopt the Russian ruble as its currency and "nationalize" state property as part of plans to join the Russian Federation, a regional official was quoted as saying on Thursday. Hryvnia, the official currency will remain in use until January 1st 2016.

Interfax news agency cited Rustam Temurgaliyev, Crimea's vice premier, as saying: "All Ukrainian state enterprises will be nationalized and become the property of the Crimean autonomy."Hoping Moscow would let Crimea become part of Russia, he said: "We are ready to introduce the ruble zone." (Reuters)