The United States has sent a written response to Russia's request for a Ukraine crisis

The United States has sent a written response to Russia's request for a Ukraine crisis

The United States has sent a written response to Russia's request for a Ukraine crisis

MOSCOW - The United States on Wednesday responded in writing to Russia's demands for NATO expansion and security for operations in Eastern Europe. Senior US diplomats have predicted that Moscow could use military force against Ukraine in the coming weeks.

Secretary of State Anthony Blinken told reporters that US Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan's response to the Russian Foreign Ministry "would pave the way for serious diplomacy if Russia chose." .. The document also raises concerns about "Russia's actions that undermine our security" and "our own advice on where we can find a common ground." He added that he is proposing.

Russia has drawn a concrete red line not to expand NATO, insisting that if the United States does not want to see them, "we will expand our position."

Blinken's top deputy, Wendy Sherman, said early Wednesday that the United States was "seeing all the signs that [Russian President Vladimir Putin] will one day use military force." He said in an online conversation with the President of Estonia, organized by the Yalta European Strategy, a forum to discuss the future of Ukraine and Europe, that it was probably "from now until mid-February".

The Blinken document states: "The response was fully coordinated with Ukraine and its European allies and partners," he said, adding that their recommendations were "incorporated into the final version given in Moscow."

"NATO's doors will remain open and that is our commitment," he said.

NATO submitted its own written response to the Russian embassy in Brussels on Wednesday, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry. "

In a speech in Brussels, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg confirmed that the military alliance had made a written offer to Russia "parallel to the United States." Both documents called on Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova, and the alliance "listened to Russia's concerns and we signed up for everything."

The NATO response also proposed "practical measures" that include mutual explanations of military exercises. Stoltenberg further stressed that the alliance had "called for the rebuilding of NATO and their respective offices in Brussels" and that Russia's decision last year had "severed diplomatic relations with NATO ... us. This makes dialogue more difficult."

Blinken said NATO's response "fully strengthens our response" and "there is no sunlight between the United States and our allies and partners on this issue."

Nonetheless, Russia's sanctions on Ukraine and Georgia's accession to NATO and demands for a dramatic reduction in the military's presence in Eastern Europe are not expected to meet US and NATO proposals. Blinken said he hoped to speak with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Vyklov in the coming days. Meanwhile, the Russians want to keep the written offer private.

"Increasing provocative exercises near the border, dragging the Kyiv government into NATO orbit, supplying deadly weapons, and direct provocation against the Russian Federation, according to official records of his remarks," Vikrov told the Russian House of Representatives.

Putin spoke to the Italian CEO in a video that said the Italian government had tried to resign during the crisis in Ukraine.

Macron is pushing for a more aggressive European role as the United States seeks to maintain transatlantic unity with tougher sanctions to thwart Russia's invasion.

A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "We will work with countries and businesses around the world to secure supplies and reduce price shocks that affect both the American people and the global economy." Biden will host Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Tani, Qatar, the world's largest exporter of liquefied natural gas, at the White House on Monday. The government said the two would discuss "ensuring the stability of the world's energy supply" and sending Qatari gas to Europe.