The United States of America (USA), has rejected Russian President, Vladimir Putin’s demand to bar Ukraine from joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Russia had released a formal statement outlining its concerns about the NATO military alliance’s expansion and related security risks.
They had demanded that NATO rule out the idea of Ukraine or countries joining the alliance in the future.
Russia has amassed over a hundred thousand troops on the Ukraine border in recent weeks, which Western countries have interpreted as preparation for an invasion. Russia on the other hand, claimed that it plans to invade, stating that it is threatened by Ukraine.
Responding to the request, the US through her Secretary of State, Antony Blinken said it will not make any concessions to Russia. The US expressed fear that Russia may be planning an invasion of its neighbor.
According to Blinken, the US is providing Russia “a serious diplomatic path forward should Russia choose it” however, the states is prepared for whatever Russia decides to do, whether it is an invasion or diplomacy.
The US reaction, according to Blinken, made its “core principles” plain, including Ukraine’s sovereignty and the freedom to choose whether or not to join security alliances like Nato.
“There should be no doubt about our seriousness of purpose when it comes to diplomacy, and we’re acting with equal focus and force to bolster Ukraine’s defences and prepare a swift united response to further Russian aggression,” “It remains up to Russia to decide how to respond,” he said.
The US has provided three shipments of military “support” this week, including Javelin missiles and anti-armour weaponry, as well as hundreds of tonnes of ammunition and equipment, according to the secretary of state.
According to Russia’s foreign ministry, the government will examine Blinken’s response, which was delivered in collaboration with Nato.
Blinken also rejected any schism or disagreement between the US and its European allies, such as Germany, Italy, and France, which rely heavily on Russian energy and gas supply. He claimed that Nato has produced its own set of suggestions which “fully reinforces ours and vice versa”.
But Blinken said the US document responding to Russia will not be made public. According to him, “Diplomacy has the best chance to succeed if we provide space for confidential talks.”
Jens Stoltenberg, Nato Secretary General, said the alliance’s document had been handed to Moscow as well, adding that while he was open to listening to Russia’s concerns, all nations have the freedom to establish their own security arrangements.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov responded by saying Stoltenberg had “lost touch with reality”.
