 The aborted mutiny by Russia's Wagner mercenary group at the weekend demonstrated the scale of the Kremlin's strategic mistake in waging war on Ukraine, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on June 26. The events over the weekend are an internal Russian matter, and yet another demonstration of the big strategic mistake that President Vladimir Putin made with his illegal annexation of Crimea and the war against Ukraine, Stoltenberg told reporters on a visit to Lithuania's capital Vilnius. Russia sought to restore calm on Monday after Wagner fighters halted a rapid advance on Moscow, withdrew from the seized southern Russian city of Rostov and headed back to their bases late on Saturday under a deal that guaranteed their safety. Stoltenberg condemned Moscow's announcement to deploy nuclear weapons to Belarus, but said NATO did not see any indication Russia was preparing to use them. As Russia continues its assault, it is even more important to continue our support to Ukraine. And also many thanks to you, the government and the people of Lithuania. We condemn Russia's announcement about deploying nuclear weapons. This is reckless and irresponsible. We don't see any indication that Russia is preparing to use nuclear weapons, but NATO remains vigilant. If Russia thinks it can intimidate us from supporting Ukraine, it will fail. We stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. Our deterrence is strong. To keep our people safe in a more dangerous world, at the summit we will take further steps with new regional plans. And the forces, exercises and capabilities assigned to these plans.