Russia must stop 'irresponsible' nuclear rhetoric, says NATO chief

Jens Stoltenberg warned Russia against using nuclear, biological or chemical weapons in Ukraine, while stressing NATO's readiness to 'protect and defend allies against any threat any time'

NATO will likely decide on Thursday to ramp up military forces on its eastern flank, the head of the alliance said, while also warning Russia against using nuclear weapons after its Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine.

NATO has sharply increased its presence at the eastern border of the alliance, with some 40,000 troops spread from the Baltic to the Black Sea, and is seeking to deploy four new combat units in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia.

"I expect leaders will agree to strengthen NATO's posture in all domains, with major increases in the eastern part of the alliance. On land, in the air