Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky contrasted the work of allies in downing Iranian missiles over Israel - with the reluctance to do the same with Russian ones for his country - as he met with new NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Kiev on Thursday.

"We have also discussed today our needs in air defence and in additional co-operation with our neighbours. We can see how in the Middle East they can defend the lives of people, in particular because of the unity of allies," he said.

"The joint downing of Iranian missiles does not differ from a joint downing of Russian missiles," he said, before alleging that Russian forces also used weaponry from Tehran - which both have strongly denied.

"More decisiveness from the partnership in our region is what is needed to put an end to Russian terror," Zelensky added. "We will continue to persuade our partners regarding the need to jointly down Russian missiles and drones, and we count on this decision a lot."

Meanwhile, Rutte claimed that "shooting down drones or missiles violating allied territory are, of course, decisions for the national authorities".

"NATO has already significantly reinforced its air defences on the eastern flank, and we recognise fully the rights of every ally to protect its own airspace. And of course, this is also an issue for NATO as a whole, and this is why allies are continuing to consult closely when these situations arise. And NATO authorities, I can assure you will continue to work with a lot authorities to issue an effective air and missile defence," he said.

Rutte was also asked about permission for, and supply of, 'long-range weaponry' for Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia. He reiterated that it was "up to each ally to determine its support for Ukraine."

"I note that these discussions are ongoing but in the end that's not for NATO, that's up for each ally to decide what restrictions are there on the weapons they deliver to Ukraine," he added.

Zelensky also repeated his own calls for that capability. "Why are we so persistent in regarding the usage of long range weaponry? Without certain equipment we cannot stop Russian Federation, which is using the prospective weaponry against us, is destroying everything," he admitted.

"Therefore we are asking to give us opportunity to defend ourselves from Russia, to give us weaponry, to give us permission, to give us systems," he said, before also adding that he wouldn't be drawn too far in comparing the conflict with that in the Middle East.

"I cannot say that this or that tragedy or war distracts, that would be simply not just, to speak this way," he said. "Thanks God, there are allies who defended the people in Israel."

Both US and British forces admitted taking a role in protecting Israel from the wave of Iranian missiles launched on Tuesday evening, with Washington stating that US destroyers had actively downed projectiles.

NATO allies have admitted holding talks on downing Russian missiles over Ukraine, after Poland in particular backed pre-emptive strikes on projectiles before they could reach their own territory, although no decisions have been made public.

Last month US President Joe Biden and UK PM Sir Keir Starmer held talks on letting Kiev conduct 'long-range' strikes using Western weapons systems although again, no decision was publicised. Washington has previously resisted such calls and media reports suggested the US was also preventing the UK from giving the green light.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said such a move would "mean nothing but direct involvement of NATO countries, the United States, European countries in the war in Ukraine" and added that it "considerably changes… the very nature of the conflict, implying that NATO countries… are at war with Russia."