German Chancellor Angela Merkel says there was nothing easy about the decision to impose sanctions on Russia.<br/> <br />After the vote in Crimea, the United States and European Union imposed sanctions on Russian and Crimean officials involved in the seizure of Crimea.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR, ANGELA MERKEL, SAYING:<br/> <br />"I think it was a decision that nobody took lightly. It wasn't our aim. We wanted talks and a diplomatic solution, but the clear violation of international law yesterday with the so-called referendum meant we had to take this step and I am glad that Europe showed such unity."<br/> <br />Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree Monday recognizing the Crimea region as a sovereign state.<br/> <br />The move heightened the most serious East-West crisis since the end of the Cold War.<br/> <br />Putin attended a Paralympic event Monday, but did not speak about Crimea. On Tuesday he addresses a special joint session of Russia's State Duma, which could take a decisio
