According to German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Germany could send the first Leopard battle tanks to Ukraine in about three months.

As Tagesschau reports, the Bundeswehr will "very quickly" start training Ukrainian soldiers to operate tanks and considering delivery routes, the SPD politician said following a meeting of the Bundestag defence committee in Berlin.

Pistorius called the decision to send battle tanks "historic because it was coordinated internationally. He said it also happened in an extremely explosive situation in Ukraine."

The minister added: "This is a potentially significant 'game changer' in this war or at this stage of the war."

As a first step, Germany will hand over relatively new Leopard tanks from the Bundeswehr to deliver the first battalion to Ukraine with its partners. A second battalion should be formed from the old Leopard tanks at the second stage. It "will take a little longer," Pistorius said.

"The goal is to be able to deliver as quickly as possible," the Minister said.

Pistorius announced further discussions with partners regarding planned deliveries. In particular, he named Poland, Canada, Spain, and Portugal.

He also voiced the prospect of negotiations with arms manufacturers on "faster replenishment." "This will be a challenge for the next few years," he added.

At the same time, the Minister made it clear: "We will not become a party of war. Sending main battle tanks is "not a cause for celebration, even if some would like it to be. The decision about such things can never be very pleasant - it is necessary," he added.

According to Spiegel, at this stage the European allies are discussing the joint transfer to Ukraine of 80 Leopard 2 tanks to form two battalions of 40 vehicles.

On Wednesday, January 25, the German government officially announced the decision to send Leopard-2 main battle tanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and to allow re-export to other countries that also want to do so.

The media also reported that the USA was preparing a decision on sending M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine.