[News] Latest Ukraine updates: US formally responds to Russia’s demands

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United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington has set out a “serious diplomatic path” for Moscow to resolve the tensions over Ukraine in a letter to the Russian government.

But he said that the letter made no concessions to Russia’s main demands, such as guarantees that Ukraine will never be admitted to NATO.

 

“We made clear that there are core principles that we are committed to uphold and defend, including Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and the right of states to choose their own security arrangements and alliances,” Blinken said.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s foreign minister has said Moscow’s buildup of troops near its border is “insufficient for a full-scale offensive”, a day after the embattled country’s president called for calm over the crisis.

 

Washington and its allies warn the Kremlin may be readying an imminent incursion, but Moscow has repeatedly stated it has no plans to attack its neighbour.

The live blog is now closed; thank you for joining us. Here are the updates for January 26:

 

Two prominent anti-war US lawmakers have expressed concerns over the possible “significant” deployment of American troops, while voicing support for President Joe Biden’s efforts to resolve the crisis with Russia diplomatically.

Democratic congresswomen Pramila Jayapal and Barbara Lee also called on their colleagues to allow Biden to find a peaceful solution to the impasse, in an apparent message to lawmakers pressuring the president to be more hawkish.

“We continue to watch Russia’s threatening behavior towards Ukraine with alarm,” Lee and Jayapal said in a joint statement.

“There is no military solution out of this crisis – diplomacy needs to be the focus. We support the Biden Administration’s efforts to extend and deepen the dialogue, allowing for robust negotiations and compromise.”

 

Canada is extending its military training mission in support of Ukrainian security forces by three years and pledging an additional $268m ($340m Canadian) to the programme, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced.