Robert Habeck, German Economy Minister and Vice-Chancellor, believes that Germany's promised further supply of tanks will help Ukraine protect itself from the expected new wave of a Russian offensive.

"There are a large number of tanks that are being provided to repel the Russian spring offensive," Tagesschau quotes the vice-chancellor from Washington.

The Federal Ministry of Economy previously approved the export of up to 178 Leopard 1A5 main battle tanks to Ukraine. "How many Leopard 1A5 main battle tanks will actually be delivered to Ukraine depends on the necessary repair work," the message said.

The Federal Government gave blanket approval for the export last week.

The Netherlands, Denmark and Germany have agreed to cooperate in order to transfer about a hundred Leopard 1 tanks from industrial warehouses in Germany to Ukraine.