Crimea sets up news central bank, expects $30 million from Russian in 'coming days'

MOSCOW – Crimea's deputy prime minister says the region has set up a new central bank and is expecting to get $30 million in support from Russia.

Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula on Monday declared itself an independent state after its resident voted overwhelmingly in support of seceding and seeking to join Russia.

The West does not recognize the referendum, saying it violates both Ukrainian and international norms. Moscow considers the vote legitimate and Russian President Putin is to address his parliament on the issue Tuesday.

Rustam Temirgaliyev was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying Russia will send to Crimea 1 billion rubles "in the coming days" to help it stabilize its financial situation. Temigraliyev said the new central bank will later function as a regional branch of the Russian central bank.