Stoltenberg commented on NATO plans to strengthen the eastern direction

It is reported by RIA Novosti.

“We will decide whether to support such a presence (NATO. -

) depending on what happens in Ukraine,” he said.

Stoltenberg added that the alliance has recently strengthened its presence, as it faced a new challenge around Ukraine.

“It is too early to make predictions, as so far we have not seen a de-escalation from Russia,” he said, answering the question of whether NATO will continue to strengthen the eastern flank if tensions around Ukraine ease.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the eastward expansion of NATO endless and very dangerous.

Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov noted that NATO's eastward expansion runs counter to the principle of the indivisibility of security in Europe.