France condemns Russian Crimea treaty, says Europe needs strong response

PARIS (Reuters) - French President Francois Hollande on Tuesday condemned the decision by Russian President Vladimir Putin to sign a treaty integrating Crimea into Russia, saying Europe needs to provide a "strong" response. "I condemn this decision. France does not recognise either the results of the referendum ... or the attachment of this Ukrainian region to Russia," Hollande said in a statement. "The next European Council meeting on March 20-21 must provide the opportunity for a strong and coordinated European response to the hurdle that has just been jumped." He did not elaborate on what that response could be. (Reporting by John Irish; Editing by James Regan)