Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal, before he visited Germany, called on the federal government to provide the Ukrainian military with battle tanks to repel Russian aggression.

"We need a change in the philosophy of arms deliveries. By that, I mean: modern battle tanks should also be delivered," said Schmyhal to the German Press Agency, reports DW.

"We expect the USA to provide us with their Abrams tanks, and from Germany, we expect Leopard 2. These are the modern tanks that Ukraine needs on the battlefield."

Shmyhal is expected in Berlin on Saturday. On Sunday, he will be received by Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Chancellery. He is the highest-ranking Ukrainian politician to visit Berlin since the Russian war broke out.

After initial hesitation, Germany recently delivered some heavy weapons to Ukraine: ten Panzerhaubitze 2000 heavy artillery units, 15 anti-aircraft guns, three rocket launchers, and three armored recovery vehicles.

"Germany has made immense progress regarding backing Ukraine with weapons," said Schmyhal. "But, of course, we wish to get more weapons and equipment as soon as possible."

Direct supplies of modern battle tanks and BMPs remain taboo for Scholz. No other NATO country has yet transferred such weapons systems to Ukraine.

Earlier, the ruling coalition of Germany advocated direct supplies of tanks to Ukraine.

Ukraine has been trying to get Western-style battle tanks for several months but has not yet received consent from the partner states.