We are monitoring closely what Russia is doing. We haven't seen any changes in their nuclear posture. We are vigilant, we are sharing information and we have conveyed very clearly to Russia that there will be severe consequences if they use nuclear forces against Ukraine.
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We also have to realize that we speak about different types of escalation. One thing is escalation within Ukraine. We have conveyed a clear message on that. Then, of course, there is also the risk of escalation beyond Ukraine involving other NATO Allies. We also been very clear on that.
NATO is not party to the conflict. We support Ukraine, but that doesn't make us part to the conflict. We support a sovereign nation in the sovereign right for self-defence.
On top of that, we have also significantly increased our military presence in the eastern part of the Alliance. We did so immediately after the invasion, because we were prepared. And so that morning of the invasion, we activated all our defence plans from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea, and started additional deployment of additional troops to the eastern part of the Alliance. To remove any room for miscalculation, or misunderstanding in Moscow about our willingness, our readiness to protect every inch of NATO territory. And more troops in the eastern part alliance is sending that message.
So NATO's aim, what we are doing is support Ukraine, but at the same time preventing escalation by sending a clear message to Moscow about the dangerous nuclear rhetoric and the consequences the use of nuclear weapons will have, and by demonstrating our readiness to defend and protect all Allies, by increasing the presence of NATO troops and sea and air capabilities in eastern part of the Alliance.
