Putin has 'shattered peace' in Europe: NATO chief

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday said Russian President Vladimir Putin had "shattered peace in Europe" by invading Ukraine, adding that the Western defence alliance would defend "every inch of our territory".

"President Putin has shattered peace in Europe. Allies condemn the unjustified and brutal invasion of Ukraine. The Russian assault is totally unacceptable, and it is enabled by Belarus," Stoltenberg said while on a visit to Poland's Lask airbase.

"Our commitment to Article 5, our collective defence clause, is iron-clad. We will protect and defend every inch of NATO territory," he added alongside Polish President Andrzej Duda.