NATO will not raise its nuclear weapons alert level despite Russia having done so, secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said today.

Speaking after talks with Polish President Andrzej Duda, the former Norwegian prime minister said it was important the US-led alliance made it clear it would not be drawn into a direct war with Russia.

“Nato is not going to send troops or move planes into Ukrainian airspace,” he confirmed, after reporters asked about the prospect of attempting to impose a no-fly-zone over Ukraine.