The US told Moscow it was committed to keeping Nato open to new members, rebutting a key Russian security demand in written responses that could determine the outcome of the Ukraine crisis.
The step was announced on Wednesday by US secretary of state Antony Blinken, after weeks of tense negotiations with Russia aimed at defusing the stand-off and removing the threat of an armed conflict in Europe.
“Nato’s door is open, remains open and that remains our commitment,” Blinken said, adding that Nato would separately send its own responses to Russia’s demands.
The US response follows a request from Russian president Vladimir Putin for a written answer to his demands on security in the region.
Depending on Moscow’s reaction, the co-ordinated western responses could either lead to further escalation or to additional negotiations on security in Europe, leading Russia to step back from the brink of an invasion.
“We are open to dialogue. We prefer diplomacy. And we’re prepared to move forward, where there is the possibility of communication and co-operation,” Blinken said. He added that there were “positive things” that Moscow should accept in the document.
Blinken said he expected to speak to Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov “after Moscow has had a chance to read the paper and is ready to discuss next steps”.
He added that Russia should de-escalate its “aggression” toward Ukraine, “stop the inflammatory rhetoric” and adopt a “spirit of reciprocity” in talks on security in Europe.
The US had frequently rebuffed Russian demands that Ukraine be barred from joining the alliance or that it reduce troop levels on Nato’s eastern flank. However, western allies have said they are willing to negotiate on missile deployments and transparency around military exercises.
US officials on Wednesday were unsure which way Putin would go, but Wendy Sherman, deputy secretary of state, warned that Washington still had “every indication” that Russia was planning an attack between now and mid-February.
In recent days, US and Nato allies have ramped up their defence and security assistance to Ukraine and put thousands of troops on standby to protect vulnerable countries on the eastern flank of the alliance.
They have also sought to settle on the details of a massive economic sanctions package to punish Russia if it follows through with an attack.
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