U.S. won’t recognize results of Russian referendums in occupied areas, White House says

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Friday the U.S. is prepared to impose more “severe economic costs” on Russia if it moves forward with the annexation of occupied areas of Ukraine, as so-called “referendums” on joining Russia are taking place. She added the U.S. won’t recognize the results of those referendums, and officially recognizes these regions as being part of Ukraine.