The fact that Vladimir Putin is not particularly impressed by NATO has long been known. As soon as he sees an opportunity to discredit the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, the Russian president never holds back.

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.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby confirmed that Ukraine had been given permission to use long-range weapons in Russia "on an immediate-need basis, and right n