NATO countries have helped Ukraine withstand Russia's full-scale war. However, it is now necessary to change the course of the conflict, stated NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, according to The Guardian.

NATO members on Tuesday reaffirmed their support for Ukraine during talks with the country's officials held in response to Russia's launch of an experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile last week.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is convening a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council next week, a spokesman said on Friday, after Russia deployed a new missile in Ukraine in what was widely seen as a dangerous new escalation.

A suggestion by a NATO chief that the alliance should target Russia's missile launch sites has been condemned by the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov. Lavrov responded to remarks made by Admiral Rob Bauer,

He emphasized that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte shares the same position as his predecessor Jens Stoltenberg, who called for lifting the strike restrictions during his tenure. The decision to lift the restrictions lies with individual NATO member states.

NATO would respond by targeting Russian launch sites if Russia were to attack, but the alliance will not strike first.

The North Atlantic Alliance would be wise to strike Russia's launchers in the event of an attack. However, NATO countries will not be the first to attack, stated Admiral Rob Bauer, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee,