Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that four more regions of Ukraine are part of Russia.

It is the largest attempt at annexation of European territory by force since World War II.

According to APA, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said this at a press conference.

The General Secretary said that the mentioned areas make up 15 percent of Ukraine.

This means an area roughly the size of Portugal.

The mentioned lands were illegally seized by Russia.

Moscow prepared fake referendums and applied them in Ukraine.

This is a complete violation of international law.

Seizing these lands is illegal.

NATO and its allies do not and will not recognize these territories as part of Russia.

"These lands are Ukraine.

Donetsk is Ukraine.

Luhansk is Ukraine.

Kherson is Ukraine.

Zaporozhye is Ukraine.

Just like Crimea is Ukraine.

This is the second time that Russia has taken Ukrainian territory by force.

But this does not change the nature of the conflict.

NATO is not a party to the conflict, but we support Ukraine to protect its right to self-defense, as enshrined in the UN Charter.

Our alliance is a defense alliance.

We are united and determined to defend and protect every NATO ally," Stoltenberg stressed.