KIEV (REUTERS) - The Ukrainian region of Crimea could adopt the Russian rouble as its currency and "nationalise" state property as part of plans to join the Russian Federation, a regional official was quoted as saying on Thursday.
Interfax news agency cited Rustam Temurgaliyev, Crimea's vice-premier, as saying: "All Ukrainian state enterprises will be nationalised 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 rouble zone."