Donald Tusk told a news conference on Friday that Putin’s latest comments merely revealed the Kremlin’s “difficult situation.”

He said: “It is necessary to take all events in Ukraine and on the Ukrainian-Russian front very seriously, but I would not attach excessive importance to the latest statements from President Putin.

“They rather show the difficult situation the Russians have on the front.”

He added: “In the interest of Poland and our security, it is crucial that Ukraine is as well-equipped as possible during the war and that it can effectively defend Ukrainian airspace, as this also protects our airspace.”

“Let us view President Putin's words as an attempt to deter the West from offering such support,” he said.

Kyiv has long been pressing the U.S. and other Western governments to authorize long-range strikes that it says will help to counter Russia’s relentless aerial attacks on Ukraine.

Tusk said that he had had an extensive conversation on the matter with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and noted that he remains in regular contact with other world leaders.

“The solidarity of the West on this issue is increasingly impressive, and we can expect more intensive support for Ukraine from our allies and the entire Western world,” he said.

“Putin's words should reinforce our belief that this aid is both necessary and indispensable, and it must continue.”