Ukraine Sets Deadline For Militias To Surrender Firearms

President Vladimir Putin signed legislation today that completed the annexation of Crimea to Russia – today was also the deadline for Ukrainian troops to leave Crimea, join the Russian military or demobilize.

Additionally, in an effort to stabilize Ukraine and extend its authority, Prime Minister Arseniy P. Yatsenyuk has set a deadline for self-defense groups to turn in the illegal firearms they are carrying openly in Kiev. However, members of the self-organized defense groups have been reluctant to comply.

NPR’s international correspondent Eleanor Beardsley joins Here & Now's Robin Young from Kiev discuss the events in Ukraine.