Ukraine to get German weapons package worth 2.7 billion euros

Berlin: Germany to present Ukraine with new weapons package worth 2.7 billion euros, German defence ministry informed. The said package is the largest from Germany since Russia initiated its invasion of Ukraine, Agence France-Presse reported.

German defence minister Boris Pistorius said in a statement that they hope for a rapid end to the terrible war in Ukraine, led by Russia, but the end is not in sight. Therefore Germany will provide Ukraine with all the help it can as long as necessary, he said.

The package will include 30 additional Leopard-1 tanks, Marder armoured vehicles, air-defence systems and surveillance drones, the German defence ministry informed.

German magazine Der Spiegel reported that the package is the largest since the Russian invasion of its neighbour.

The announcement comes when Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky is likely to travel to Rome on Saturday to meet political leaders to visit Berlin after that. Though German officials have not confirmed the visit, German police have started an inquiry into a possible trip by the Ukrainian leader.

The West has been active in providing Ukraine with powerful weapons since Russia initiated its offensive on its Soviet neighbour. However, Zelensky is yet to receive the advanced fighter gets he has requested.

Last year, Germany served Ukraine with military support worth two billion euros and earmarked 2.2 billion euros for this year. It had promised Kyiv its more advanced Leopard-2 tanks, with commencing training for Ukraine soldiers on how to use them.