The conflict could become a"permanent, perpetual war" unless drastic changes take place in Russia, Tusk said in an interview published on Sunday.

"The main question now is how many victims we will see," he admitted.

"I have no doubt that Ukraine will survive as an independent state," the Polish Prime Minister emphasized.

He explained that the difficulties facing the Russian economy are enormous, and they are being exacerbated by the latest US sanctions on two major Russian oil companies.

At the same time, Tusk acknowledged that Russia's advantage is its"readiness to fight", which"is an absolutely decisive issue in wartime".

In the interview, Tusk warned Britain not to succumb to the"sweet illusion" that the war in Ukraine is somewhere far away. Russia can attack any European capital, including London, with ballistic nuclear missiles.