"It is a reunion. We are one nation"- Moscow resident on Crimea

Russians in the capital city Moscow Monday say they are happy with the outcome of a referendum on Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, in which voters overwhelmingly chose to join Russia.

(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MOSCOW RESIDENT, ANDREI, SAYING:

"Yes, I think it is a right decision. It is a reunion. We are one nation. Our fathers and grandfathers went to war together. I think that this is a right decision, 100 percent."

The peninsula on the Black Sea has a Russian-speaking majority, and was a part of Russia until it was gifted to Ukraine in 1954 by then-Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev.

The West is denouncing the referendum and has slapped sanctions on some Russian and Ukranian officials.

The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin told U.S. President Barack Obama the referendum was legitimate.

(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MOSCOW RESIDENT, ZHANNA, SAYING:

"It is legal. I support Putin. I'm for reuniting Russian borders and the reunion of the Russian people