US rejects Russia’s demands to ban Ukraine from joining NATO, tensions escalate

WASHINGTON – The United States (US) has in writing rejected the demands Russia to prohibit Ukraine join NATO. Washington’s decision made tensions even more heated.

Foreign Minister Antony Blinken gave Russia an official response to its demands to resolve the Ukraine crisis.

Blinken made no concessions but said he offered Russia a serious diplomatic path forward. According to him, Russia should choose it.

A Russian minister said his country would study Blinken’s US response.

Also read: Ukraine: Russia’s 100 Times A Day Invasion Is Near!

Russia has previously issued a list of written demands over its concerns about the expansion of the NATO military alliance and related security issues.

Among them is NATO’s request to rule out the possibility of Ukraine and other former Soviet states joining the US-led alliance.

In recent weeks, Russia has deployed large numbers of troops on Ukraine’s borders – something Western countries see as preparation for a possible invasion. Russia denies this.

Blinken said the US response clarified “core principles”, including Ukraine’s sovereignty and its right to choose to be part of a security alliance such as NATO.

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