The pack contains an additional 30 coveted Leopard tanks. (File)
Berlin, Germany:
Germany is preparing a new weapons package for Ukraine worth €2.7 billion, reportedly the largest from Berlin since Russia invaded last year, the defense ministry said on Saturday.
“We all hope for a quick end to this terrible war waged by Russia against the Ukrainian people, but unfortunately that is not in sight,” Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said in a statement.
“That is why Germany will provide all the help it can for as long as it takes,” he said.
The $3 billion package includes an additional 30 Leopard-1 tanks, Marder armored vehicles, air defense systems and surveillance drones, the ministry said.
Der Spiegel magazine said it would be Germany’s largest since the outbreak of war.
It comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to travel to Rome on Saturday for talks with political leaders, which could be followed by a trip to Berlin.
German officials have not confirmed the visit, but Berlin police have opened an investigation after details emerged in the media of a possible trip attributed to the police.
Western allies have been supplying increasingly powerful weapons to Kiev since Russia sent its troops to Ukraine in February 2022, but so far not the advanced fighter jets Zelensky had requested.
Germany provided military aid worth €2 billion last year and had earmarked €2.2 billion for this year, although details had not yet been finalised.
Berlin has also promised to supply its more advanced Leopard-2 tanks and has begun training Ukrainian soldiers in their use.
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