US denounces ‘sham’ Russian-planned referendums in Ukraine

The US denounces Russia’s planned referendums to annex parts of Ukraine as “sham” actions and says it will not recognize the results.

“These referenda are an affront to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that underpin the international system,” says White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

“If this does transpire, the United States will never recognize Russia’s claims to any purportedly annexed parts of Ukraine,” he says.

Separatists in the Donbas and Kherson regions have said the referendums to join Russia will take place on September 23-27.

Sullivan says the referendums and a reported Russian plan to call up more troops reflect Moscow’s recent setbacks in the war, losing large areas of territory to the Ukrainian military.

“These are not the actions of a confident country. These are not acts of strength, quite the opposite,” Sullivan says