Commenting on Moscow's statements about the "annexation" of the occupied regions of Ukraine, Stoltenberg noted that their territory makes up more than 15 percent of the territory of Ukraine, and this step by Russia is the largest attempt to annex the territory of a European country since the Second World War.

When asked by a Ukrainian journalist about Ukraine's application for accelerated NATO membership, Stoltenberg repeated that every democratic country in Europe has the right to apply for membership in the alliance.

"We have said time and time again that NATO's door remains open, and we have demonstrated this over the past years," he added.

Stoltenberg recalled the results of the NATO summit in Madrid.

"The decision on membership, of course, must be taken by all 30 allies, we take them by consensus.

Our focus is now on providing immediate support to Ukraine to help it defend itself against a brutal Russian invasion," he added.

Stoltenberg noted that NATO is not a party to the conflict, but will continue to provide support to Ukraine as long as it is necessary.

He also noted that Russia's victory in this war will mean danger not only for Ukraine, but also for world security as a whole.

"This is a turning point.

Putin mobilized hundreds of thousands of people, resorted to irresponsible nuclear blackmail and now annexed the territory of Ukraine.

This is the biggest escalation since the start of the full-scale invasion.

All this is not a show of force.

This is a recognition of Russia's weakness and failure," he said.