US holds firm on Ukraine’s right to join Nato in its response to Russian demands

US officials also offer negotiate on European security with Moscow but won't move on most contentious issue

The US has presented its written response to Russian demands on Ukraine, but made clear that it did not change Washington's support for Ukraine's right to pursue Nato membership, the most contentious issue in relations with Moscow.

The reply, which was delivered to the Russian foreign ministry by the US ambassador in Moscow, John Sullivan, repeats the US offer to negotiate with Russia over some aspects of European security, but the secretary of state, Antony Blinken, said the issue of eventual Ukrainian membership of the alliance was one of principle.