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The explanation, whether it came from collective you of the EU, NATO, or Lithuania, is a transparent, needless provocation. The former Warsaw Pact and Baltic countries of the former USSR have been the most hard-line and bellicose when it comes to Ukraine. Having lived in communist Poland, I can understand their animus towards the Russians. But the danger of NATO expansion was always that the organization could be hijacked by these new members who have scores to settle. Hungary has been a notable exception.

I watched General Jack Keane being interviewed on Fox the other day. When asked about the recent visit of Macron, Scholz, and Draghi to Kyiv, Keane said the three of them could not be trusted because of their desire to negotiate with Putin about an end to the war. It is clear that the US and the UK are pushing for continuing the war while many in Europe want an end to it sooner rather than later as the domestic opposition grows fanned by increased energy and food prices along with housing the refugees.

It is probably hyperbole to show resolve to the Russians, but NATO is now opining that the war could go on for years. If that were the case, I can see NATO being a casualty of the war.

Ukraine war could last for years, warns Nato chief

The West must prepare to continue supporting Ukraine in a war lasting for years, Nato's chief has warned.

Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the costs of war were high, but the price of letting Moscow achieve its military goals was even greater.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also warned of a longer-term conflict.

And in a stark warning, the newly appointed head of the British Army said the UK and allies needed to be capable of winning a ground war with Russia.

Gen Sir Patrick Sanders, who started the job last week, said in an internal message seen by the BBC: "Russia's invasion of Ukraine underlines our core purpose - to protect the UK and to be ready to fight and win wars on land - and reinforces the requirement to deter Russian aggression with the threat of force."

Mr Stoltenberg and Mr Johnson said sending more weapons would make a victory for Ukraine more likely.

"We must prepare for the fact that it could take years. We must not let up in supporting Ukraine," the Nato chief said in an interview with German newspaper Bild.

"Even if the costs are high, not only for military support, also because of rising energy and food prices."