The US considers Russia's concerns about NATO's eastward expansion to be justified and is ready to discuss this matter as part of a peaceful settlement of the war in Ukraine, said Keith Kellogg, the US special envoy for Ukraine.

This is a matter that Russia will always raise. They are talking not only about Ukraine, but also about Georgia and Moldova. And the US says they can discuss the matter of stopping NATO's expansion towards the Russian border. This is their security interest, Kellogg said in an interview with ABC News. He stressed, however, that the final decision on this matter will be made by US President Donald Trump.

Also, Kellogg recalled that the United States is against inviting Ukraine to NATO. The US has repeatedly said that Ukraine's membership in NATO is not on its agenda. And the US is not the only country saying so. Four other NATO countries will confirm it. And all 32 NATO countries must agree to membership, added the US special envoy.

Furthermore, Keith Kellogg urged Kyiv not to abandon direct talks with Moscow and to attend the June 2 meeting in Istanbul, which Russia had planned. They will see what they can achieve when they hold discussions in Istanbul next week, Kellogg concluded.