Biden: Russian referendums are a 'sham', U.S. will never recognize annexation

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks at a Democratic National Committee event at the National Education Association headquarters in Washington, U.S., September 23, 2022. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden said on Friday that Russian referendums aimed at annexing four occupied regions of Ukraine are a sham and said Washington "will never recognize Ukrainian territory as anything other than part of Ukraine."

In a statement, Biden said Washington "will work with our allies and partners to impose additional swift and severe economic costs on Russia."