"While it is crucial to take all events in Ukraine and on the Ukrainian-Russian front seriously, I wouldn’t place too much weight on President Putin’s latest remarks," Donald Tusk said at a news conference.
"They seem to reflect the difficult position the Russians are facing on the front," he added.
"In the interest of Poland and our security, it is crucial that Ukraine be as well-equipped as possible in this war, and able to effectively defend its airspace, as this also helps protect our own airspace," Tusk told reporters.
'Attempt to deter the West'
"Let us view President Putin's words as an attempt to deter the West from offering such support,” he said.
Tusk added that he had discussed the issue extensively with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and maintained regular contact with other world leaders.
“The solidarity of the West on this matter is increasingly impressive, and we can expect more intensive support for Ukraine from our allies and the entire Western world,” Tusk told the news conference.
“Putin's words should reinforce our belief that this aid is necessary and indispensable, and it must continue," he added.
Tusk's comments came as US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer were set to discuss authorising such strikes during talks in Washington later on Friday, according to reports.
Putin threatens NATO
On Thursday, Putin warned that allowing Ukraine to launch such attacks would draw the countries supplying Kyiv with long-range missiles directly into the conflict, the Reuters news agency reported.
"If this decision is taken, it will mean nothing less than the direct involvement of NATO countries, the United States and European countries in the war in Ukraine," Putin said, according to Reuters, adding that Russia would be forced to take "appropriate decisions."
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that "the statement made by President Putin yesterday is very important."
Peskov added, as quoted by Reuters: "It is extremely clear, unambiguous and does not allow for double readings. We have no doubt that this statement reached those it was intended for."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been urging Kyiv's allies for months to permit the use of Western missiles, including long-range US ATACMS and British Storm Shadows, to target Russian territory and limit Moscow's ability to carry out attacks, Reuters reported.
Ukraine has right to use Western weapons: Polish FM
Poland's Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said on Thursday that Ukraine had the right to use Western weapons to prevent war crimes from being committed by Russia on its territory.
Speaking at a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Warsaw, Sikorski said that Russia's continued attacks on residential buildings, civilian infrastructure and hospitals constituted war crimes.
He added that missiles striking these civilian targets were launched from Russian bombers stationed within Russia.
He underlined Ukraine’s right to defend itself and use Western-supplied weapons to counter these threats.
Blinken, meanwhile, reaffirmed the United States' commitment to adapting its support to Ukraine based on the evolving battlefield situation, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
Russia invaded Ukraine by land, air and sea on February 24, 2022, starting the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II.
Friday is day 933 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
(gs)
Source: IAR, PAP, Reuters
