Ukrainian crisis: John Kerry says Russia on wrong side of history

The US has said Russian President Vladimir Putin was on the "wrong side of history" as it warned him of the consequences over annexing Crimea "illegally" despite international opposition against it.

"The President (Putin) may have his version of history, but I believe that he and Russia, for what they have done, are on the wrong side of history," Secretary of State John Kerry said while commenting on the Ukrainian crisis.

"I was really struck and somewhat surprised and even disappointed by the interpretations in the facts as they were articulated by the President," Kerry said yesterday soon after Putin signed a treaty claiming the Black Sea region of Crimea as Russian territory.

The White House said Russia's move to annex Ukrainian province Crimea has badly affected the credibility and international stature of Moscow.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney also warned Russia to be ready to face the consequences of annexing Crimea "illegally".

"Sanctions will increase. Designations will be forthcoming. So it's hard for me to put a pin on what the ongoing consequences of that kind of action would be.

"What I can say without question is that this action, the results of the referendum, and the attempt to annex a region of Ukraine illegally will never be recognised by the United States or the international community," he asserted.

The White House said it is looking at the international community, including India, to condemn Russia's action as the Obama Administration intensified its global effort to garner support for Ukraine.

Putin, facing the prospect of international isolation in the wake of its action, yesterday explained the situation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who underlined India's position on "unity and territorial integrity" of countries and hoped a diplomatic solution would be found to the issue.