Washington
The United Sates has rejected Russia's demand to bar Ukraine from becoming a part of NATO, amid rising tensions that Russia might invade its neighbour, BBC reported on Thursday. This was stated by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken while giving a formal response to Russia's demands to resolve the Ukraine crisis. Russia had given a list of its concerns regarding the expansion of the NATO military alliance near its western borders and other related security issues, which also included the demand that NATO rule out the possibility of Ukraine and others ever joining the alliance.
While giving no concessions Mr Blinken said that he was offering Russia "a serious diplomatic path forward, should Russia choose it". In response Russia said that it would study Mr Blinken's response which was delivered in coordination with NATO. Russia has in recent weeks amassed large numbers of its troops on the Ukraine border which has been described by the Western countries as a preparation for a possible invasion which Russia has categorically denied.