Blinken says written response to Russia sets out diplomatic path forward

"All told it sets out a serious diplomatic path forward, should Russia choose it," Blinken told reporters, adding that he expects to have follow-on discussion with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in coming days. Blinken said the U.S. response to Russia's demands reflects that Washington is open to dialogue and prefers diplomacy, but that it remains up to Russia how to respond.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday that Washington's written response to Russia's security demands sets out a diplomatic path forward if Moscow were to approach it seriously, as the United States seeks to avert a military escalation against Ukraine.

Blinken said the document, delivered to Russia on Wednesday, has a "principled and pragmatic" evaluation of the concerns that Moscow has raised, adding that the response was fully coordinated with Ukraine and Washington's European allies. "All told it sets out a serious diplomatic path forward, should Russia choose it," Blinken told reporters, adding that he expects to have follow-on discussion with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in coming days.

Blinken said the U.S. response to Russia's demands reflects that Washington is open to dialogue and prefers diplomacy, but that it remains up to Russia how to respond. He warned the United States would be ready either way. Washington has made clear that Russian demands for NATO to pull back troops and weapons from eastern Europe and bar Ukraine from ever joining are non-starters. It says it is ready to discuss other topics such as arms control and confidence-building measures.

Tensions are high after Russia massed an estimated 100,000 troops in reach of its neighbor's border, surrounding Ukraine with forces from the north, east and south. Russia denies planning an invasion. Blinken on Wednesday said there will be no change in the U.S. position on NATO's open door policy.

While the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv will remain open, Blinken said, he warned that Americans in the former Soviet country should strongly consider leaving.