In an hour-long phone call Thursday, President Obama warned Russian President Vladimir Putin Thursday that his intervention in Crimea violated Ukraine’s sovereignty and urged him to embrace a diplomatic resolution, reports ABC. But Putin ignored the plea, releasing a statement that Russia could not ignore calls for help from Crimea and was in compliance with international law. Crimea’s Russian-backed government then voted to secede from Ukraine and join Russia after a quick referendum on the measure March 16. Finally, this morning, Russia’s parliament voted to support Crimean secession, reports the Wall Street Journal. 

• WaPo: Only 1 in 10 Uninsured Signing Up for ObamaCare
• Rasmussen: Hillary 47 Jeb 33
• 60 Minutes: Deep Inside the Whitey Bulger Story