Putin's nuclear threats should not stop aid to Ukraine – Stoltenberg

Jens Stoltenberg, who is about to step down as NATO Secretary General, has urged Alliance members not to be dissuaded from providing further military assistance to Ukraine because of Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin's "reckless Russian nuclear rhetoric".

The current NATO Secretary General was commenting on Putin's statement last week that Russia might resort to using nuclear weapons if its territory were struck by long-range missiles.

"What we have seen is a pattern of reckless Russian nuclear rhetoric and messaging, and this [Putin's statement] fits into that pattern," Stoltenberg said in an interview with Reuters.

Stoltenberg pointed out that each time NATO has increased its support for Ukraine with new types of weaponry – whether it be main battle tanks, long-range systems, or F-16 fighter jets – the Russians have attempted to prevent this from happening.

"They have not succeeded and also this latest example should not prevent NATO allies from supporting Ukraine," the secretary general added.

Commenting on Putin's nuclear threats, the EU stressed that they are further evidence of his irresponsible behaviour and would not change Brussels' stance on continuing to support Ukraine.

Putin's warning comes as the United States and its allies are considering whether to authorise Ukraine to use Western-supplied weapons to carry out long-range strikes deep into Russia.