The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden rejected Russia's claims regarding Ukraine's accession to NATO.
This was stated by White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki during a briefing.
As Psaki noted, official Washington is not ready to agree with a number of Kremlin proposals regarding NATO. She said that although there had been no final agreement on diplomatic talks, the US was working towards them and looking forward to them.
“Well, let me first say — I know we put out a readout, I believe, of — or if not, it will be coming soon. But: “Today, Jake Sullivan spoke with…” Yuri Shakov [sic] — Ushokov [sic] — Ushakov — I’m sure I’m butchering his last name, apologies — “…Foreign Policy Advisor to President Vladimir Putin of Russia. He indicated U.S. readiness to engage in diplomacy through multiple channels, including bilateral engagement, the NATO-Russia Council, and the OSCE. He made clear that any dialogue must be based on reciprocity and address our concerns about Russia’s actions, and take place in full coordination with our European Allies and partners," Ms. Psaki said.
At the same time, U.S. President Joe Biden has yet to agree to a time and place of fresh talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This is reported by Reuters.
Psaki also refuted criticism leveled by Putin on Thursday that the U.S. and its allies have been the aggressor in the Russia-Ukraine border escalation.
“Well facts are a funny thing and facts make clear that the only aggression we’re seeing at the border of Russia and Ukraine is the military buildup by the Russians and the bellicose rhetoric by the leader of Russia," Psaki said.