Mixed reaction to Crimea's annexation

Mixed feelings in Ukraine -- after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed laws completing Russia's annexation of Crimea.

Some Ukrainians want to defend the Black Sea region, where the atmosphere remains tense:

(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) IRINA KHANINA, DONETSK RESIDENT, SAYING:

"They are great people out there. It was time to stand up. But the fact that the Crimea is going to be taken away is bad. We will go to war and will fight. We will be defending our Ukraine like all normal people do."

But Ukraine Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk made strides of his own.

Ukraine and the European Union signed a political association agreement to commit to closer political and economic cooperation - the same deal former president Viktor Yanukovich rejected last November

(SOUNDBITE) (English) UKRAINIAN PRIME MINISTER ARSENY YATSENIUK SAYING:

"We want to be a part of a big European family and this is the first tremendous step in order for Ukraine to achieve its ulti