Biden vows to impose more 'swift and severe economic costs' on Russia for referendums

US President Joe Biden vowed Friday to impose additional sanctions on Russia after Moscow announced referendums in Ukraine.

Biden said the US will never recognize Ukrainian territory as anything other than part of Ukraine and referred to Russia’s referenda as a "sham – a false pretext to try to annex parts of Ukraine by force."

"We will work with our allies and partners to impose additional swift and severe economic costs on Russia," he said in a statement.

"The United States stands with our partners around the world – and with every nation that respects the core tenets of the UN charter – in rejecting whatever fabricated outcomes Russia will announce," he said.

Biden also vowed to continue to provide Ukraine with security assistance in the face of Russia's war.