Tusk suggested considering increasing NATO's military presence on the border with the Russian Federation

"I will talk about considering the issue of increasing European and NATO troops on the border with Russia and Belarus," he said during a conversation with reporters before the EU summit in Brussels.

According to the Polish Prime Minister, the protection of the EU's eastern borders has become an indisputable priority for the organization. In particular, he noted that Romania, the Baltic states and Finland want to join the Eastern Shield border strengthening program initiated by Poland.

Signs of disagreement: Europeans against sending soldiers to Ukraine

Western allies may try to strengthen Kiev's position with the help of mercenaries.

Earlier, on February 21, Tusk called on Europe to urgent actions in Ukraine, including ensuring the protection of the Baltic States and borders with Russia. The Polish Prime Minister also called for the rapid adoption of new financial rules for the financing and defense of the European Union (EU). In his opinion, all this should be done immediately.

On March 5, French President Emmanuel Macron, in his address to the nation, called on the EU to provide itself with the maximum amount of military equipment and increase defense capabilities "in the name of peace itself." According to him, Russia has allegedly become a threat to France and Europe in the coming years.

The next day, Russian Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Macron's words had extremely confrontational. According to him, the French leader spoke about Russia almost as an opponent, but did not mention the expansion of NATO, in connection with which retaliatory measures were necessary for the Russian Federation.