From VOA Learning English,this is In The News.Russian President Vladimir Putinhas signed a law for Russiato officially take control of the Crimean peninsula.The signing ceremony took place on Fridayafter the upper house of Russia's parliamentvoted to make Crimea a part of Russia.The lower house approved the deal on Thursday,just four days after Crimean votersdecided to leave Ukraine and join Russia.Local officials in Crimeacalled a special election on the area's futureafter Ukrainian lawmakersvoted to oust President Viktor Yanukovych.The reported election results were one-sided.Ninety-seven percent of those marking ballotschose to join Russia.Crimean officials announced that over 80 percent of everyonepermitted to vote took part in the referendum.The Russian president said the vote met internationaland democratic values for fairness.But many observers questioned the results.Robert Legvold is with Columbia University in New York City."If it was an honest vote and all groups had participated,I would have thought rather than an overwhelming vote,it would have been something like 52 to 53 percent,given the percentage makeup of the groups in Crimea.The fact that it's 97-point-whateverand they report a turnout of 83 percent,creates some suspicion that it wasn't just the shadowof the Russian military presence,but maybe even some manipulation."Matthew Rojansky works for the Woodrow Wilson International Centerfor Scholars in Washington.He thinks the pro-Russian officials in Crimeaheld the referendum because they expected the results."My sense is this was a product of the timesin which there has been a real build-up of fear mongeringand the overt pressure of armed men.There is nothing quite like a gun in your face."The United States and the European Unionhave described the referendum in Crimea as illegaland in violation of Ukraine's constitution.US and EU officials reacted quickly.They ordered travel bans and financial restrictionson 28 Russian officials and four Ukrainians.US officials have described thosetargeted as President Putin's "cronies."Matthew Rojansky says that, for over a year,Mr. Putin urged top Russian officialsto sell their international holdingsand bring their wealth back to Russia."Anybody who has complied with him is sitting prettyand doesn't have to worry about the international sanctions,and anyone who didn't - well, it's their problem;he can cut them loose."He also believes the current sanctions are not strong enough."I don't think Putin believes us.I don't think he thinks we actually have the gutsto impose really biting sanctions on,for example, the energy sector.I think he just distrusts our resolvebecause we haven't made it clearthat we are willing to pay the pain on our side."Robert Legvold of Columbia Universitybelieves stronger sanctions could hurt the world economy."Every step that escalates the penalty or the punishmentalso escalates the cost to those inflicting them,imposing the sanctions."On Thursday, President Obama announced additional sanctionson Russian individuals and one bank.Russia reacted to the announcement by ordering entry banson nine US lawmakers and officials.The following day, Ukraine's acting prime ministersigned a political association agreement with the EU.Observers say it will be very difficultto change what has happened in Crimea.Experts also say it will be interesting to seehow far the United States and its Western alliesare willing to go to punish Russia for its actions.And that's In The News from VOA Learning English.