The US has warned that NATO forces are prepared to enter the conflict and protect member states from Russian attacks as the Ukraine crisis continues to escalate.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said we are "prepared" for a conflict if it "comes to us".
NATO is a military alliance currently made up of 28 European countries, as well as the US and Canada. Ukraine is not a member but wants to join as Russia continues to attack the country.
Blinken's warning to Vladimir Putin comes as Russia continues its bombardment of Ukraine with shelling of a nuclear power station in Zaporizhzhya, in the country's southeast.
Targeting the plant - which the UK said could "directly threaten Europe's security" - continued even as emergency services tried to douse the resulting fire.
Blinken said NATO is ready to defend its member allies and the region: "We have a defensive alliance. We don't want any conflict. But if conflict comes to us, we are ready and we are ready for every NATO area." inches will be protected.
“And overnight, we have also seen reports about an attack against a nuclear power plant. It just demonstrates the recklessness of this war and the importance of ending it – and that Russia is good at withdrawing all its troops and diplomatically.” The importance of engaging in faith is effort."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been calling on Ukraine to enroll in NATO before the start of the Russian offensive.
He told the Munich security conference last month that a "clear and feasible" timetable for admission is needed. As the war broke out last week, Zelensky has also appealed for immediate EU membership.
Although NATO has been reluctant to allow Ukraine to join, Russia clarified that it would be considered an act of provocation.
Article 5 of the treaty establishing NATO states that "an attack against one ally is considered an attack against all allies". Therefore, it will give rise to the possibility of an all-out war with Russia.