US reply to Russia’s security concerns: Nato’s door open for Ukraine

Russia yesterday said that the United States was failing to address its main security concerns over Ukraine but left the door open to further talks to ease tensions.

Relations between Russia and the West have reached their lowest point since the Cold War after Moscow deployed tens of thousands of troops on the border of pro-Western Ukraine, raising fears of an invasion.

Russia denies any plans to invade but last month put forward demands for wide-ranging security guarantees from the West, including that Ukraine never be allowed to join the US-led Nato military alliance.

The United States on Wednesday delivered a reply in co-ordination with Nato allies, rejecting any ban on Ukraine, but offering what it called a new "diplomatic path" out of the crisis.

Kremlin wasn't impressed by the reply but said "let's not rush into assessments".

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow's chief concern -- the potential for Ukraine to join Nato -- had been ignored, but that it would be possible to move forward on other issues.

"There was no positive response to the main question," Lavrov said in a statement, but "there is a response which gives hope for the start of a serious conversation on secondary questions".

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday that he would speak again in the coming days to Lavrov.

He renewed an offer on "reciprocal" measures to address mutual security concerns, including reductions of missiles in Europe and transparency on military drills and Western aid to Ukraine.

But he made clear that the United States would not budge on Russia's core demand that Ukraine never be allowed to join Nato.

"Nato's door is open, remains open, and that is our commitment," Blinken said.

In a bid to defuse tensions, senior Russian and Ukrainian officials met for eight hours in Paris with representatives of France and Germany on Wednesday.

Dmitry Kozak, the Kremlin deputy chief of staff, said the talks were "not simple" but that another round would take place in two weeks in Berlin.