Germany does not accept "sham" referendums, Scholz tells Ukraine's Zelenskiy

FILE PHOTO: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz delivers his speech as he takes part in the 25th anniversary celebration for the IGBCE mining, chemicals and energy trade union in Hanover, Germany September 23, 2022. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer

BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in a call on Wednesday that Germany would never accept the results of "sham" referendums on joining Russia in occupied regions of Ukraine, a German government spokesperson said.

Scholz also said Germany's financial, political and humanitarian support for Ukraine would not waver and it would continue to back Ukraine in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity, including weapons deliveries, the spokesperson said in a statement.