The United States and its allies are ready to "impose additional swift and severe economic costs" on Russia if Moscow moves forward with "annexation" of Ukrainian regions, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Monday without providing a timeline for such a decision by the West.
The territory where Russia is carrying out referenda will never be recognized by the Group of Seven as anything other than part of Ukraine, she told reporters at the White House.
"Whatever fabricated outcomes Russia announces" will be rejected by the West, Jean-Pierre underlined.