NATO announced its intention to deploy four new combat groups to the Eastern European States, in a move that it saw as strengthening defences against Russia in its Eastern Frontier.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said: "NATO leaders will decide at their Thursday summit to strengthen the defensive posture with four new combat groups in Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia, increasing the number of combat groups deployed to eight from the Baltic to the Black Sea."

Earlier on Wednesday, Stoltenberg confirmed that NATO forces were in full readiness, adding that NATO was working to strengthen security in member States.

The Secretary-General of NATO stressed that NATO would not tolerate any attack against the sovereignty and integrity of States, and stressed NATO's continued military support to Ukraine.

Stoltenberg noted that the military coalition of 30 States was fundamentally changing its security status in Europe in the future in response to the Russian-Ukrainian war.

10 major NATO nations, including the United States, Britain and France, have deployed more troops, warships and fighters in the East Wing and put more on standby.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was invited to address NATO leaders at a summit devoted to Ukraine's war, NATO reported Tuesday.

Zelensky spokesman Sergei Nikiforov confirmed the Ukrainian leader's participation in the summit, saying he would seek assistance to end the Russian invasion, Interfax Ukraine reported.

Nik  ov explained that "this may be in a variety of ways, whether through the imposition of an air embargo zone or the provision of advanced air defence systems or military aircraft to Ukraine."

According to a NATO official, "NATO allies are helping Ukraine to uphold its fundamental right to self-defence, while supplying it with a large quantity of vital military equipment."

The official explained: "During the summit, NATO will examine with Ukraine what it can do yet to strengthen support for it."