Merkel tells Putin that Crimea referendum is 'illegal'

German Chancellor Angela Merkel told Russian President Vladimir Putin today that she considered the referendum being held in Crimea this month on joining Russia was "illegal".

"The chancellor asserted the German position forcefully that the so-called March 16 referendum on Crimea is illegal. It is against the Ukrainian constitution and international law," her spokesman Steffen Seibert said, recounting a phone call between the two leaders.