NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks during a media conference after an extraordinary meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs via video link at NATO headquarters, in Brussels, Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. NATO foreign ministers on Friday discussed Russia's military build-up around Ukraine amid skepticism about the credibility of President Vladimir Putin's offer to ease tensions, ahead of a week of high-level diplomacy aimed at ending the standoff. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys)
WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and NATO on Friday roundly rejected Russian demands that the alliance not admit new members amid growing concerns that Russia may invade Ukraine, which aspires to join the alliance.