AFP: Russian President Vladimir Putin appointed the current premier of Crimea as the peninsula's acting governor today, another step towards its establishment as a region of Russia.

Sergei Aksyonov, who has been prime minister since the start of the region's drive to separate from Ukraine, will hold the post until elections, according to a decree published on the Kremlin's website.

As the two met at the president's Moscow-region residence, Putin thanked Aksyonov for his help in making Crimea a Russian region, telling him: "It is first and foremost your accomplishment."

Aksyonov promised Putin he would not let him down. The pro-Moscow Aksyonov has been the peninsula's acting premier since late February. Crimea's prime minister Anatoliy Mohilyov was ousted after armed men took over the council of ministers building, and lawmakers later elected the 41-year-old Aksyonov to the post.

The leader of Russian Unity -- a Crimean party that had previously enjoyed little success in the polls -- Aksyonov became an outspoken proponent of bringing the peninsula under Moscow's rule and was one of the organisers of the controversial March 16 referendum.